Four fishing boats sink off Maharashtra town, 18 missing

Local fishermen, Indian Coast Guard and other agencies conducted rescue operations, said Bhai Bhandark Maharashtra Fishermen’s Trust president Vijay Bhandarkar.
“At least 18 fishermen are still missing,” Bhandarkar told IANS.

Details of the boats which sank, their owners and the exact number of crew aboard are still being ascertained, he added. Bhandarkar said according to available information, nearly 400 fishing boats are still in the high seas at various locations on the western coast and they are being asked to return.

Port authorities Saturday morning issued a Level 3 warning of stormy weather conditions on the western coast of Maharashtra and advised fishermen not to venture out on the high seas.

Since the past three days, the entire state has witnessed heavy to very heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds. Several parts of Maharashtra have been flooded owing to the rains and the release of excess water from various overflowing dams, water reservoirs, lakes and other water bodies across the state.