The recent cyclonic storm Yaas while has caused massive devastation to various sectors in Baleswar district, the fishing trawlers and their owners in particular have been worst-hit. Although the fishing trawlers have been lying idle since April 14 due to the ban for the breeding season of the marine fish, yet several trawlers and gillnetters which were anchored near the sea were damaged due to the tidal surge caused by the cyclone.

From Balaramgadi fishing base, over 85 trawlers and 13 gillnetters sustained damages, including minor and major, when the tide rose about 15 feet.

The vessels were pushed to the shore and hit stone packing and trees leading to their damages. Although the vessels were anchored and made ready for the ensuing fishing season, yet due to the storm these vessels suffered damages. Not only did the mishap occur in Balaramgadi fishing base, vessels of other bases including Kasafal and Bahabalpur etc were also damaged.

The association of the fishing vessels stated that the cyclone severely affected their livelihood. They also sought financial help from the Government to repair the damages.They demanded at least Rs 25,000 as compensation for each vessel to get ready for the coming fishing season.

The demand was placed before Minister Arun Sahoo when he visited the fishing bases on Tuesday, said Trawlers' Association president Narandra Bihari Das. In the meanwhile, the residents of low-lying patches close to the sea coast are facing untold woes as they still are facing waterlogging problem even after a week the cyclone hit the district.

Chandipur, Chargochhia, Parikhi, Srikona , Gopinathpur, Alumeda, Channua , Sartha and Srirampur  GPs were the worst-affected. Due to the breaches in the embankment near Chargocchia, Chandipur, saline water gushed into the crop fields during high tides, alleged the local residents.