Malappuram: Three fishermen who went missing after they ventured into the sea from Chaliyam on November 29 returned to Puthiyappa beach in Kozhikode on Sunday afternoon. The fishing boat registered at Parappanagadi in Malappuram district had lost all contacts when cyclone Ockhi hit the Kerala coast during the past two days.
According to Ponnani coastal police, all the fishermen are safe. The cyclone which moved towards northern coasts had created a panic after the three fishermen went missing. “All the three men, including a Tamil Nadu native, have returned safely on Sunday. All the fishermen in the coastal areas of Malappuram district are safe as they haven’t ventured into the sea during the last three days due to holidays and weather warnings,” said Mr Sasheendran Melayil, sub-inspector of Ponnani coastal police.
High waves and gusty winds continued to cause havoc in many parts of the coastal areas in the district, especially at Ponnani on Sunday as well. Several houses were drowned in high waves. The news of the withdrawal of sea also caused panic among the coastal dwellers. The authorities, including the revenue department and coastal police, have braced up for rescue operations in case of a sea attack. Shelters and equipment have also been set up, said Mr Sasheendran.
