It has been over two weeks since 6 men from 48-year-old Janet's residence in Kanyakumari district embarked on a journey into rough waters for deep sea fishing. Her two brothers, uncle, brother-in-law and two nephews had left on October 16, in what has become an annual practice. This year however, Janet fears that they will not return.
In the last month alone, over 100 boats left from Vallavailai where Janet lives. And while the other fishermen have either returned home or made it safely to the shores of Kochi, Goa or Mumbai, the location of six boats remains unknown.
"The boat belonged to us. Along with my relatives it also carried four neighbours in it," says Janet. "Except for one boy, Jino Raj, who is 18, the rest are all married and have children. Families including wives and children are terrified that they could have gone missing in the Kiyar cyclone," she adds.
In 2017, Janet's husband had been out at sea in December when cyclone Ockhi struck and her barely made it out alive.
"His boat was shattered into pieces and he was holding on to wooden pieces for dear life when the coast guard and navy personnel rescued him. Since then he has completely stopped going to sea," she laments. "I am afraid that if the government doesn't act fast, we may not be as lucky this time," she adds, her voice choked with emotion.
According to district administration, six boats out of a total of 770, that left from Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi districts are currently missing. From Kanyakumari alone 60-65 fishermen have not returned home.
"Till now, no authorities have come to meet us," says Janet. "Nobody from the government, no MLA or MP," she adds.
District Collector Prashant M Wadnere however points out that necessary steps to find the fishermen have already been initiated.
"We have been in touch with the Fisheries department. They in turn are in touch with the Indian navy and coast guard. We have even contacted the Oman coast guard. We didn't have the initial location so it has been hard to contact them. We have communicated with other boats but only 6 boats are still unreachable," he says. "We had broadcasted warnings about the Kiyar cyclone but we are not sure if it reached them," he adds.
But families of missing fishermen say the warnings came too late.
35-year-old Jency whose husband Thiyagu left to the sea on October 14, says the first warning regarding the cyclone only came on October 23.
"My husband left with three of my elder brothers and seven others from the neighbourhood," she says. "We are praying everyday for their return. If they knew a cyclone was brewing, they would have never gone."