A 58-year-old fisherman from Pudukottai district has been reported missing after his boat capsized owing to gusty winds accompanied by strong waves while he was engaged in fishing in the early hours of Thursday (March 19, 2026). 

Coastal Security Group sources said N. Kuppuraj, 58, and his son K. Ramanathan, 20, ventured into the sea on an unregistered country boat on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) night for fishing from the Therkku Pudhukudi village in Manamelkudi taluk.

The boat capsized at around 1.30 a.m. on Thursday following gusty winds and strong waves while they were fishing about three nautical miles off the coast.

Kuppuraj went missing after the boat capsized, while his son managed to hold on to the vessel and was rescued by other fishermen. A search is under way by the fishermen and the Coastal Security Group to trace the missing fisherman, the sources added.

Published – March 19, 2026 12:14 pm IST