Date:31/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/31/stories/2004123102180700.htm

Back Kochi port in panic over alert

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi , Dec. 30

FEAR and panic gripped the Kochi Port area and its surroundings on Thursday following the warning of another possible tsunami attack, forcing the port authorities to temporarily suspend the port operations for about four hours.

The Port Chairman, Dr Jacob Thomas, told Business Line that operations were suspended between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. in all the berths based on the instructions from the Union Home Ministry and the Coast Guard over the possibility of one more tsunami in this coastal region.

The Union Government has issued a 12-hour warning and the port had taken effective steps and acted according to the directions, he added.

During the time, there were two container vessels and three break bulk vessels in various berths in the Ernakulam and Mattanchery wharfs, he said.

The port has instructed the workers to stay away from the berths and directed masters of the ships to tighten the ropes of vessels anchored in the wharfs. It had also advised to fill the ballast tanks and switch on the main engine to steer the vessels in case the ropes break.

The port had also decided to donate Rs 1 crore to the tsunami-affected persons, following directions from the Shipping Ministry.

Moreover, it has appealed to workers and trade unions to contribute a day's salary to the relief fund set up in this regard.

Most of the shipping companies with offices in Willingdon Island downed shutters by 11 a.m. fearing another wave attack.