Representational image (PTI file photo)
NEW DELHI: More than 30 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were stranded at sea amid rough weather, have regained satellite phone connectivity after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) restored Inmarsat services, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. Sitharaman said a private operator had also temporarily resumed connectivity for several users, helping many stranded fishermen receive weather alerts and take precautions to return safely. In a post on X, she wrote, “Heartening to note that Inmarsat satellite phone services have been restored for over 30 fishermen currently out in the deep sea, following the intervention of BSNL and DoT. The private operator has temporarily resumed connectivity successfully for many users, enabling communication with those at high sea.”Sitharaman also mentioned that BSNL and the DoT are working with the private operator to ensure full service restoration for the remaining fishermen. On Sunday, she had said the Centre was working to restore connectivity after being informed about the loss of contact with several fishermen at sea. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a low-pressure area forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal, likely to intensify into a deep depression and cause rough sea conditions. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Comorin area, and coastal regions of Karnataka, Kerala, and south Tamil Nadu till October 21. The warning extends to parts of the Arabian Sea on October 22 and 23.
