Cyclone Tauktae: Oil leak spotted from storm-affected boat off Palghar coast

Picture used for representation purpose only

An oil leak has been spotted from a boat that got stranded at sea off the Palghar coast in Maharashtra as cyclone Tauktae brought in heavy rains along
with gusty winds while it moved towards Gujarat mid-May, an official said on Saturday.

As many as 137 fishermen were rescued from this boat post the cyclone, though the vessel remained at sea, Palghar district disaster control chief Vivekanand Kadam told PTI.

Also read: Maharashtra govt approves Rs 252-crore Cyclone Tauktae relief aid

"The leak happened close to Vadrai coast and was spotted today. Officials from Maharashtra Maritime Board and an oil firm as well as Coast Guard personnel are on the spot trying to plug the leak as and when the tide allows them to work. Further details of the incident are awaited," Kadam said.

Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti Palghar President Manendra Arekar said that the boat had more that 80 tonnes of diesel, grease and other lubricants on board, which is now being seen on the sea waters, posing a huge threat to the marine life and livelihood of the fisherfolk.

"There is usually a ban on all fishing activities from May 31-July 31 owing to the breeding season of the marine life during the monsoon. Thousands of fishermen here depend on the sea for their survival. People have complained about the odour of oil emanating from the fish," Arekar told mediapersons today.

Though nearly a fortnight has elapsed since the vassel hit the rocky sea bottom here, he said the concerned authorities and the vessel owners and contractors have taken no steps in the matter.

According to an official, the Satpati Coastal Police Station has been approached by the vessel owners-contractors to examine and take up containment measures while the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has been apprised of the situation

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