Bulker Grounds as Severe Cyclone Comes Ashore in India
Indian officials are beginning to tally the damage after a severe cyclone came ashore early on Wednesday, interrupting most services and leading to multiple rescues. A bulker that was apparently attempting to get away ahead of the storm, however, ran into problems and was driven ashore on the central eastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal.
The Marshall Island-flagged bulker Sigma Pearl (32,688 dwt) reportedly attempted to sail on October 27 before the worst of the storm. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority told the Deccan Herald that the vessel had unloaded sulfur at the port. It was attempting to reach Singapore when it experienced propulsion problems. It began to drift and was driven aground by the high wind and surf from the approaching storm.
The ship was built in 2010 and is 180 meters (590 feet) in length. The ship’s managers are based in Singapore. The reports indicated that the crew was uninjured and the authorities were working to bring them ashore as the storm lessens.
Meteorological reports indicated that the storm came ashore early on Wednesday with sustained winds of between 78 and 84 mph and gusts of up to 93 mph. It had completely crossed over land by 8:00 a.m. local time, leaving a path of damage along the coast as it began moving inland.
Cargo operations and vessel berthing were suspended due to the swells and gale-force winds at several ports along the coast. According to media reports, emergency teams were needed to rescue personnel stranded at a warehouse in the Kakinada Anchorage Port. The authorities at the Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Gangavaram ports issued storm warnings, ordering anchored vessels to secure and suspending freight operations until sea conditions improved.
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Air travel was also suspended, with 27 flights canceled at the international airport and interrupting domestic travel. More than 70 trains were also canceled, as well as bus service.
The goal was to begin restoring operations on October 29. The authorities said they would survey the grounded vessel and begin to plan for its salvage after the storm abated.
