Cyclone Ockhi: Fishermen blame government for their plight

Thiruvananthapuram: The fishermen have blamed the government for not warning them on cyclone Ockhi on time.    Two years ago, the meteorological department had given an assurance to Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation to provide cyclone forecast locally.  The federation then had taken out a march to office of the department when a similar calamity occurred after it failed to provide such a warning. However, this time no such warning was given. Activist Maglin Peter told Deccan Chronicle that the department did not fulfil its promise. 

"During natural calamities, the fishermen who ventured into the sea had been stranded due to the lack of warning.  The same thing has repeated now also,"  Peter said. Meanwhile, Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran  said that there was  no need for the public to panic over the cyclone. The government would carry out rescue operations using all the state resources, he said.  "Saving the lives of the fishermen is our priority. There is enough time to do the rest of  the work," he   said.