Four fishermen missing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Four fishermen, three from Vizhinjam and another one from Poonthura were reported missing  after they ventured for fishing in the rough seas on Saturday.  Johnson, one of the missing fishermen from Poonthura, had gone for fishing in a country made boat along with two other fellow fishermen. The boat overturned in mid sea, almost six km from the shore. While two of them swam back to safety, Johnson went missing.In another incident which occurred near Vizhinjam, three fishermen, two of them from Vizhinjam and another one from Tamil Nadu, did not return to shore until Saturday evening.  The three had ventured into sea on Friday evening and were expected to be back by Saturday morning. It is said that one of the fishermen had called his boatowner early in the morning and said that their fishing net was damaged by a ship. But after that there were no response from the fishermen. The missing have been identified as Kunjumon, Kunjumon (both from Vizhinjam) and Japamala from Tamil Nadu. Met Department said that a depression formed near the Kanyakumari coast as the reason behind strong winds and heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department issued warning against fishermen venturing into the sea as strong winds occasionally reaching speed of 50-60 km per hour was expected on Sunday.The North East monsoon has been active over Kerala. Isolated heavy rainfall was reported in the state on Saturday.  Heavy rainfall and squally weather will occur in Kerala & Lakshadweep during next 48 hours, Met release informed on Saturday. There will be cloudy sky with intermittent spells of thundershower in southern district.