Chilika suspends boat services amid Cyclone Arnab alert

Berhampur: In view of Cyclone Arnab, ferry and tourist boat services in Chilika, the biggest brackish water lagoon, stand suspended from Monday. The suspension would continue till Oct 29. The Puri district administration has issued an advisory in this regard. The order has been issued for the safety of people and tourists to Chilika, sources said. The administration has asked police and the respective block development officers and tehsildars to strictly enforce the order. The administration has also directed officials to take strict action against those violating restrictions. While tourist boats are operating from jetties like Barkul, Balugaon, Mangalajodi, Satapada etc., ferry services operate from Jhanikuda in Ganjam district to Satapada in Puri district every day. Over 1,000 boats are operating in the lake from different jetties. Tourists from far-off places visit the lake to enjoy its picturesque scene, bird-watching in Nalaban wildlife sanctuary, dolphins and Kalijai temple etc. Govt has already issued an advisory to fishermen not to venture into the sea for fishing as the sea would be very rough under the influence of the cyclonic storm. Govt has also asked fishermen who are already in the sea to return home. The restriction is imposed till Oct 29. “Following the govt’s direction, we have already begun to create awareness among people in the fishermen-dominated coastal villages in Ganjam district,” said Devidutt Mohanty, additional fishery officer (AFO) (marine), Ganjam district. He said fishery officers and the respective tehsildars would certify that fishermen of particular villages are at home, not at sea. “In Ganjam, there are 31 fishermen-dominated coastal villages and we maintain strict vigil over the villages,” he said.

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