100 boats stuck off coast as Palghar district readies for cyclone Nisarga

MUMBAI: Even as the administration is gearing up to tackle Cyclone Nisarga, expected to make a landfall in Palghar district on Wednesday evening, efforts are on to rescue around 100 fishing boats stranded off the coast.
Briefing mediapersons, district collector Dr Kailash Shinde said that a red alert has been issued as extremely heavy rains are expected on June 3.
Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed to prevent gathering of four or more persons.
While around 477 fishing boats have returned, another 100 are stranded in the Arabian sea. They are being rescued with help from the coast guard. Shinde said that there are around 1,000 labourers on these boats.
A list of villages likely to be affected has been drawn up. Those staying within three kilometres off the coast have been issued guidelines about the cyclone. A survey of the thatched homes along the coast is being carried out. Children, senior citizens and pregnant women are being moved to government schools in the district.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, each comprising of 35 personnel, have been assigned to Palghar and Dahanu.
Industries, shops and establishments in the district have been asked to remain shut on June 3. Most of these industries, located in the non-red zone for Covid-19, had started operation after lockdown was eased.
Fishermen have been issued do’s and don’ts ahead of the cyclone. Repairs to doors and windows, taking stock of valuables, disposing off wastes outside homes, moving away dry wood are some of the measures that the fishing community living alongside the coasts have been asked to do.
Fishermen have been asked to keep their communication devices on and wait for warning signals.
Post cyclone, people have been told to not return home till they get the nod from the administration. After returning home, people have been asked not to touch electric wires.
People have been directed to keep a record of the damages caused in case the cyclone hits the villages. The same will have to be later submitted to the district administration for compensation and further action.