Mumbai put on alert for cyclone 'Phyan'

The State government today officially confirmed that around 68 fishermen were still missing after being trapped in cyclone Phyan which passed through  Goa’s coastline early this week.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat addressing a press conference in the city said that 68 fishermen, four trawlers and one canoe were still missing.

“Out of the four trawlers there are confirmed reports of two fishing trawlers having sunk,” he said adding, “Sixty eight fishermen were on board four fishing trawlers and one canoe, which were caught in Phyan.” 

He said when the warning was sent by the Centre on November 9, the trawler were returning from Ratnagiri and were trapped in the cyclone.

Kamat said the government has decided to give Rs.1 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased or still missing.

“Rs 50,000 will be given to the family immediately as interim relief,” he said.

Further, Kamat said, he has asked the Fisheries Department to prepare a report on the loss of lives and the damages caused to the trawler owners, who have lost their nets and damaged their boats as a result of the cyclone.

“The State government was in constant touch with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) who were expected to call off their search and rescue operation later today,” he stated.

Kamat said the exact number of people missing will be compiled by the Fisheries Department soon.

Present for the briefings were Fisheries Minister Joaquim Alemao, Public Works Development D Minister Churchill Alemao, Civil Supplies Minister Jose Philipe D’Souza and St Andre legislators Francis Silveira, all known to be associated in trawler business.

Meanwhile, Kamat said the government is also assessing the damage caused to 17 houses in Arambol.

“As an interim relief we have given the families Rs 3000 cases while Rs 12500 will be given through the Rajiv Awaas Yojana after the deputy Collector prepares an assessment report,” he said.

Of the 17 houses affected by the cyclone in Arambol, two were fully damaged while others partly, according to North Goa Collector R Mihir Vardhan. “By Monday, all will be paid compensation”, he said adding that panchanamas were being done by the mamlatdar.