Lankan Navy rescues four Indian fishermen caught in rough seas

 The Sri Lankan Navy rescued four Indian fishermen, caught in rough waters off the country's northern coast, as cyclone Thane hit Tamil Nadu causing destruction in the coastal areas.

The four Indian fishermen on board a boat were rescued off the northen Jaffna peninsula's Delft islet last night, police said.

They were later handed over to the Delft police to be produced before a magistrate and being handed over to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

The Indian Consul in Jaffna, meanwhile, said that another 22 Indian fishermen rescued by the Navy two weeks ago were still lodged in Jaffna as inclement weather caused by the cyclone had prevented them from being sent home.

They would be repatriated no sooner the weather conditions improved, the official said.
The cyclone hit Tamil Nadu's coastal areas hard, lashing heavy rain and sending wind gusts up to 140 kmph, killing at least 33 persons and leaving a trail of destruction.