A large water swirl was spotted in the deep sea about 66 nautical miles off the Vasai coast, creating panic among fishermen. The incident came to light on January 11 through a video, following which all concerned agencies were alerted. However, even after seven days, authorities have been unable to determine the exact cause of the unusual water movement, leading to fear and uncertainty in the fishing community.
The fishing boat ‘Om Namah Shivay’, owned by Krishna Morlikhandya from Pachubunder in Vasai, had gone out to sea for fishing. At GPS coordinates 30-15-554, 71-58-576, fishermen noticed a large circular water swirl, from which muddy-coloured water was forcefully emerging. The boat got stuck near the swirl, but the fishermen managed to escape by increasing the engine speed. They immediately informed the fisheries department, the Coast Guard and the Navy about the incident.
Fear Among Fishermen
Palghar district is considered an earthquake-prone zone and frequently experiences minor tremors. This has raised concerns among fishermen, who suspect the water swirl may be linked to seismic activity. In September 2023, an earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale was recorded around 37 km off the Vasai coast, causing noticeable tremors. Although no direct connection has been established, the incident has heightened fear among fishermen operating in the region. Despite being informed, neither the Navy nor the Coast Guard has provided a clear explanation so far. Officials have indicated that the incident is unlikely to be caused by an earthquake. There is speculation that it could be linked to an ONGC gas pipeline, but no official confirmation has been received.
“There is no indication that this incident is related to an earthquake. It could possibly be due to an ONGC gas pipeline, but we have not received any confirmed information yet said, Dinesh Patil, Assistant Commissioner, Fisheries Department, Thane–Palghar. Vinod Lahare, Fisheries Licensing Officer, Vasai said, “After receiving information from the affected boat, we immediately informed the Coast Guard and the Navy, along with other government agencies. The cause of the water swirl is still unknown.