THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will provide a solatium of `10 lakh each to the kin of cyclone Ockhi victims, Chief Minister Pinrayi Vijayan said. Almost 400 fishermen have been rescued and efforts are on to bring back those who are reported to have reached the Lakshadweep shores.Terming it a “big calamity”, the chief minister said cyclones of such magnitude were new to the state. There is no exact information on the number of people stranded at sea. Four boats have been reported to have anchored on the Lakshadweep coast.
The Rs 10 lakh solatium is in addition to the assistance given by the Fisheries Department for fish workers who lose their lives in the line of work. Rs 15,000 will be given to those injured. One week’s worth of free ration will be provided to all fisher families.Reasonable compensation will be given to those who have lost their fishing boats. Anomalies in the current compensation system will be rectified and the amount will be increased.
At present, there is some shortfall in sharing weather forecast information with fisher folk. This will be rectified so that each fisherman will get a personal update.A total of 529 fisher families have been rehabilitated in 30 camps. Medicine and food are being ensured at all the camps. The Health Department has been asked to keep its focus on coastal areas. The Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have put up an efficient performance. Central government departments also cooperated well. Though the Army was ready to intervene, the need did not arise.