100 boats damaged, rooftops blown away in storm

Rameswaram: About 100 mechanised boats
anchored along the coast here were damaged and rooftops of
many houses blown away in 80 km strong winds and heavy rain
that lashed the town.

Assistant Director of Fisheries Training, Xavier told
reporters after visiting the area last night that the boats
had been smashed to pieces as they were tossed about by the
wind and rough seas.

"Each boat costs Rs 10 lakh and it will cost about Rs
four lakh to repair them," he said.

The Fishermen Association President Yesurajan said it was
a double blow for them as they were still mourning the death
of four fishermen, allegedly killed by Sri Lankan naval
personnel and whose bodies were found recently.

PTI