Cyclone Neelam has created havoc in Chennai. Mumbai bound Pratibha Cauvery  ship had run aground in Chennai on Wednesday afternoon all because of the wild current in the sea due to cyclone. The ship was said to be moving towards Mumbai after discharging its cargo at Chennai port. There were 37 people on board out of which 22 members took rescue boats to save their lives.

In two life boats, 22 members tried to board and it was reported that one person died on the spot as one of the boats capsized. While five of remaining 21 went missing, 16 persons were saved by the Indian Coast Guard and even 15 members trapped in the ship were rescued on Thursday. It was learned from the sources that Prabibha Cauvery's engine couldn't counter the winds and drifted towards the shore.

Since the ship already unloaded the cargo and was back to the port, it was empty and its curb weiht was 29,741 tonnes. The experts opined that had there been cargo on the ship, it would have sunk by now. Anyway, thanks to the Indian Coast Guard for saving the lives of over dozen sailors. However, its unfortunate that a few sailors went missing.

Andhra Wishesh expresses its solidarity to the victims of cyclone Neelam. Lets hope that things limp back to normalcy in sometime from now.

(AW Phani)