Cyclones, bans hit Andhra fishermen hard; Vizag trade loss crosses ₹36 crore
Repeated storms, depressions and fishing bans since June have pushed thousands of fishing families on the Andhra Pradesh coast into severe distress, with trade losses in Visakhapatnam alone crossing ₹36 crore.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Yanam on October 28, weeks after a depression crossed the coast near Kakinada on September 23. Another weather system, expected from November 2, has heightened fears of further losses for fishermen already battling debts, damaged boats and falling incomes.
In Visakhapatnam Urban district, thousands of families depend on 750 mechanised trawlers and 1,890 motorised and fibre boats. Much of the fleet has stayed anchored following repeated warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Fisherfolk leader Ajili Dasu said four major disruptions since June had caused losses of over ₹36 crore. The six-day fishing ban during Cyclone Arnab alone cost about ₹20 crore, he said.
“Fishermen have been unable to go to sea for five to seven days almost every month, leaving over 60% of the fleet idle,” Dasu said.
Fish vendors, auctioneers, ice suppliers and transport operators have also been hit. Low prices for tuna, seer fish, pomfret, prawns and crabs have made it tougher for boat owners to meet costs and repay loans.
Fisheries Department Joint Director L.B.S. Vardhan said direct losses from the cyclone at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour were provisionally pegged at ₹5 crore. Seven mechanised boats sank and 65 were partially damaged. Reports are being sent for compensation under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, he said.
Relief sought
Fisherfolk organisations have petitioned Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu seeking full compensation for damaged boats, nets and equipment. They have also asked for a subsistence allowance of ₹600 per fisherman per day for seven days of enforced inactivity.
Pointing out that the State has 3.32 lakh active marine fishermen, they urged the government to provide relief under the enhanced Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) provisions instead of SDRF norms.
They cited G.O.Ms. No. 1, issued on January 7, 2025, under which the government raised assistance, including ₹5 lakh ex gratia in case of death, ₹10,000 for specified housing and vehicle losses, up to ₹50,000 for livestock losses and up to ₹35,000 per hectare for crops.
The organisations want similar relief for fishermen, considering lost working days, vessel damage and disruption of allied trades, as another storm threatens the Bay of Bengal.