KOCHI: Efforts are on to remove a cargo ship that ran aground off the coral reef off Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep on Sunday evening when the sea turned rough.
Lakshadweep authorities hoped the 2,000-tonne cargo ship would come off the sea bottom when the weather improves in a day or two.
They said the ship did not seem to have suffered much damage and that the cargo of cement and steel bars was safe.
The 12-member crew was still onboard and was safe, they added.
The private ship ‘Nanda-Aparajitha' — which was carrying cargo from Beypore near Kozhikode to Lakshadweep — ran aground around 7.30 p.m. in the unusually foul weather.
Sunday evening's rough sea — accompanied by ‘water spouts,' dark clouds and tall waves — caused damage along the Kerala coast, especially off Kollam. Five mechanised fishing canoes turned over and one person died.
Fishermen reported witnessing darkness at sea in the afternoon and huge water spouts.
Authorities said the ‘Nanda-Aparajitha' would most likely come off the ground when the sea stabilised. However, they said some of the cargo would be offloaded if necessary to help the vessel come off.
‘Source:The Hindu:18-8-2010
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