Port sources told The Financial Express that the channel to the harbour has been cleared and that the port is ready to receive ships. In fact four more Indian Navy relief ships are waiting for the port's green signal.

According to the sources, the decision of the port authorities to send the harboured ships to the high seas before the disaster struck on the night of Friday last, in fact saved the port from serious damage. The sources pointed out that the super cyclone and the attendant tidal waves could have destroyed the ships, choking the channel with bits and pieces of these vessels.

The port authorities were wise enough to shift 11 out of the 12 harboured ships to the high seas. The only ship that could not be removed because of an engine failure was secured fast to its moorings. The ship called at the port to load a consignment for Tisco.