Colombo: The Sri Lankan Navy rescued four
Indian fishermen, caught in rough waters off the country's
northern coast, as cyclone Thane hit Tamil Nadu causing
destruction in the coastal areas.
The four Indian fishermen on board a boat were rescued
off the northern Jaffna peninsula's Delft islet on Friday night,
police said.
They were later handed over to the Delft police to be
produced before a magistrate and being handed over to the
Indian High Commission in Colombo.
The Indian Consul in Jaffna, meanwhile, said that
another 22 Indian fishermen rescued by the Navy two weeks ago
were still lodged in Jaffna as inclement weather caused by the
cyclone had prevented them from being sent home.
They would be repatriated no sooner the weather
conditions improved, the official said.
The cyclone hit Tamil Nadu's coastal areas hard,
lashing heavy rain and sending wind gusts up to 140 kmph,
killing at least 33 persons and leaving a trail of
destruction.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, December 31, 2011, 14:25