Published Nov 05, 2026 | 3:57 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2026 | 3:57 PM
Four bodies wash ashore at Kothapatnam coast. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: Against this backdrop, four bodies were recovered along the Kothapatnam coast on 5 November. While three of the bodies washed ashore at Kothapatnam beach, the fourth was recovered during search operations.
Cyclone Murasu has brought severe tragedy to the families of fishermen out at sea. A boat carrying fishermen from Tamil Nadu, which was caught at sea due to the cyclone’s impact, met with an accident.
The incident came to light on Thursday, 5 November, morning when the bodies of four fishermen washed ashore at Kothapatnam beach in Prakasam district. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard and Marine Police are continuing search operations for the remaining fishermen missing at sea.
According to official information, nine fishermen set out into the sea for fishing in a motorized boat from Kasimedu Fishing Harbour in Chennai on October 29. Due to the impact of Cyclone Murasu, sea conditions changed abruptly.
Strong gale-force winds and rough tidal waves disrupted the movement of boats, prompting the fishermen to attempt reaching safer locations. However, the boat they were travelling in eventually met with an accident and went missing.
According to Tamil Nadu officials, the registration number of the missing boat is TN 02 MM 2584. Owned by a fisherman named Selvalagan, the boat departed from Kasimedu on October 29. In the wake of cyclone warnings, this boat along with three others had moved to safer locations along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Prakasam District Collector P. Raja Babu revealed that three of those boats were anchored at Ramayapatnam port and one at Nizampatnam port.
On November 3, the nine fishermen on the boat anchored at Nizampatnam set out toward Ramayapatnam to join their colleagues aboard another boat, without informing authorities in either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu beforehand. The Collector explained that the boat was caught in the severe impact of Cyclone Murasu en route and met with the accident.
Also Read: Severe cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ nears Andhra coast; Likely to make landfall near Ongole on Tuesday
While the missing boat was anchored at sea alongside another fishing boat, both vessels drifted away under the impact of fierce winds and high waves triggered by the cyclone.
Tamil Nadu officials stated that the crew on the ill-fated boat had communicated via VHF wireless radio to the fishermen on the second boat that seawater was flooding their vessel, particularly the engine room.
As seawater had also entered the engine room of the second boat and weather conditions remained hostile, its crew could not reach the distressed vessel to render assistance. Subsequent searches failed to trace the boat.
Against this backdrop, four bodies were recovered along the Kothapatnam coast on 5 November. While three of the bodies washed ashore at Kothapatnam beach, the fourth was recovered during search operations.
Officials identified all of them as the missing fishermen from Tamil Nadu and shifted the bodies to the mortuary at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Ongole.
Prakasam District Collector P. Raja Babu spoke with Tamil Nadu officials, and arrangements are being made to hand over the bodies to their families after completing the identification process and other legal formalities. Search operations are underway for the remaining five fishermen.
Officials stated that the navigation transponder aboard the boat was non-functional during the mishap, with Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials noting that the device had been under repair.
Authorities have intensified search operations at sea to trace the missing fishermen, and the Indian Coast Guard has deployed a ship as well as a helicopter for the mission.
Other fishing boats operating at sea have been alerted via walkie-talkie to look out for the missing crew, and coastal authorities across Krishna, Prakasam, and Bapatla districts have also been notified.
According to Kothapatnam Marine SI Subbarao, officials have launched an inquiry regarding the bodies that washed ashore, and search operations are continuing at sea with the assistance of local fishermen.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
