Ship wreckage emerges near Odisha coast after cyclone Montha subsides

After cyclone Montha swept past the Odisha coast, parts of a long-submerged ship have become visible in the sea near Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district, sources said on Thursday.

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The wreckage was spotted about a kilometre off Ekakulanasi village under Rajnagar block.

During the cyclone, the sea turned turbulent and high tides lashed the coast. As the water receded following the severe cyclonic storm, the broken portions of a ship surfaced.

Experts believe the vessel might date back to the British Era, as it appears to have been built with aluminium—an uncommon feature in modern fishing boats.

However, the exact period when the ship sank remains unknown.

The ship wreckage becomes visible during low tide, and locals fear that the hidden debris could pose a serious threat to fishing or forest patrolling boats during high tide.

Concerned villagers have demanded that the wreckage be brought ashore to prevent any possible accident.

“This has not been ascertained whether the ship belonged to the Britishers or to the people of any other country. The wreckage is lying in the sea dangerously,” a resident stated.

“The wreckage of a ship is visible near Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which is subject to investigation. Presumably, it dates back to the British Era. The typical style of its construction suggests that the watercraft is having an interesting historical narrative. Further research is needed on this,” a local environmentalist, Bijaya Kabi, expressed.

“I think the ship might have met with an accident in the past and got mangled. Subsequently, the wreckage got drifted to the current place,” the intelligentsia added.