Ockhi Cyclone Dec-2017 Report English

at least one-way communication with the shore to get information about realtime
weather forecast. There were also demands that the Tamil Nadu
Government should request the Government of India to lift the ban on satellite
phones and provide licensed phones to fishermen who are involved in deepsea
fishing. There is also a request for provisions of very high frequency
(VHF) sets, radio telephone and Automatic Identification System (AIS) to
improve drastically much-needed connectivity.
18. The fishing community was well informed and updated about the latest
communication systems and other technological aspects of fishing. Many of
them even possessed the expertise to advice the government in their relief
and rescue measures however, the government has failed to tap into this
resource and traditional knowledge.
19. Most of the fishermen, whose boats and other fishing equipments were
affected by the cyclone, have procured these on loans. This has caused
severe financial distress among the fishermen and their families. All of them
who were at sea during the cyclone, have lost their fishing catch. They have
also lost their investment made on their fishing expedition, which involves the
cost of diesel, ice, food and other costs. Apart from this they will also have to
pay their loan amount back with interest, often to private money lenders.
Hence, there needs to be a micro-assessment of the damages made, so that
adequate compensation is given to all the affected fisher folks. The team was
also informed about the high rates of interest for loans from the usurers got by
the fishermen for purchase of boats, nets, engines and other fishing
equipment. The fishermen are arbitrarily charged with a high rate for which
they had to pay an interest ranging between Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 10,000 for every
Rs. 1,00,000 they have borrowed per month. Charging of high rates of interest
is illegal under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act,
2003.
20. Several citizens have criminal charges against them for holding peaceful
protests and calling on the government to take swift action in identifying and
rescuing their family members after Cyclone Ockhi. It is fair to say, that it was
only in response to these protests, that the Chief Minister and the Prime
Minister of the nation visited the affected areas. The act of criminalising
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