Thiruvananthapuram: The Marianad beach, some 30 km north of Kovalam, would normally look deserted on a Friday afternoon. The fisherfolk would be out in the sea. But on Friday, a seemingly endless fleet of colourful dinghies occupied the entire span of the vast beach, the ones on the far ends made almost invisible by the sea mist.

“We are ready to send as many boats the government wants to the flood-affected areas. They only need to ask us,” said Fr Ashley Jose, the vicar of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Marianad. Fishermen in Marianad have decided not to go fishing for a few days. The gesture is touching because this is the time, coming only a few days after the lifting of the trawling ban, when the fish catch would be high. “During Ockhi, we were witness to how the rest of the state came to the help of our brethren here. Now it is our turn,” said Peter Pereira, a fisherman.

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For now, the district administration has asked Marianad for 22 boats. But the entire fisherfolk have kept their dinghies ready; over 800 dinghies are parked on the beach. Already 38 boats from various other coastal regions in the capital – Vizhinjam, Valiyathura, Veli, Pallithura, and Anchuthengu – have been transported to flood-affected areas. Marianad will be sending the most number of boats and men for rescue.

'Hailasa'

When Onmanorama reached Marianad, the fishermen were loading their boats, one by one, onto large trucks. They use a tractor, whose protruding bonnet is covered with tyres, to push a boat close to the truck. Once near, a team of 20-25 fishermen, crying 'hailasa' in unison, haul the dinghy using their hands and shoulders up the truck. The loaded trucks are then lined along the side of the coastal highway.

Five people will accompany each boat, which means that 110 men will leave Marianad for rescue Friday. “These fishermen will first report to the Pandalam circle inspector,” a district administration official who was present at the loading site said. “There CI will then direct the teams to various locations,” he added.

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The Latin diocese will meet the entire cost of the operation. “We will give the fishermen some advance money and reach more money whenever it is required. The expenses needed for the policemen accompanying them will also be borne by the church,” said Fr Joseph Bastian of Vettucaud Church. The Vettucaud diocese will also despatch three boats to Pandalam Friday. “Even I was overwhelmed by the willingness shown by the people to volunteer for the mission. They are ready to do anything,” Fr Bastian said.

The district official said that the dinghies will operate in areas where even helicopters would find it hard. They will mostly be deployed for the rescue of those stranded in Chengannur, Aluva and Aranmula where the rising water has isolated hundreds of families. “Most of them are trapped on house terraces. And these human settlements are so full of trees that it would be risky for helicopters to carry out a rescue mission. The fishermen will have to move over the rising waters and weave their way through the trees and other obstacles to reach those who have been stranded,” the official said.

The fishermen seem undaunted though this is the first time that they are going on a rescue mission in non-coastal areas. “These men have braved the sea. What else do they have to fear,” Fr Ashley said.

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