Fishermen keep off sea as heavy rains lash Rameswaram

Over 700 boats from Rameswaram and 500 boats from Mandapam did not put out to sea for fishing,  N.Devadoss, Secretary of Rameswaram Port Mechanized Fishermen Association, said.

Meanwhile, Customs officials seized 24 beedi bundles, meant for being smuggled to Sri Lanka, at Ariyankundu seashore, here last night.A Customs team led by Superintendent of Customs, Ramanathapuram, Senthilnathan raided a mini truck and seized the goods, while the driver of the vehicle managed to escape.A mechanised boat, which was meant for smuggling the beedi bundles, also managed to escape.  The truck and beedi bundles were seized by the officials.