A fishing boat carrying seven men from Sananolia Nuagaon village in Ganjam district capsized early Thursday morning off the coast of Podampeta due to turbulent sea conditions.
The fishermen had ventured out around 4 AM despite warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) about rough weather.
Six of the fishermen managed to swim ashore and are reportedly safe. However, one crew member, identified as A Kaleya, remains missing. Marine rescue teams, in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, have launched an intensive search operation.
The IMD had previously issued advisories cautioning against sea travel, citing squally winds reaching up to 50 kmph and moderate to rough sea conditions along the Odisha coast and the North Bay of Bengal. The low-pressure system responsible for the disturbance has since weakened but continues to affect the region.
Local authorities have urged fishermen to adhere strictly to weather advisories to prevent further tragedies. The incident has sparked renewed calls for better safety protocols and emergency preparedness for coastal communities dependent on fishing.
