While Cyclone Nilam is expected to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, strong winds have made the ship Pratibha Cauvery run aground here, a senior port official said.
Speaking to IANS, a port official said: "There are 37 people onboard Pratibha Cauvery. It ran aground today (Wednesday) around noon. It has no cargo and weighs 28,741 DWT (deadweight tonnage)."
The official said the Indian Coast Guard has been informed and it is for the ship owners to decide on the next course of action.
He said the ship was proceeding to Mumbai after discharging its cargo at Chennai Port.
The ship returned as it was called back by the Chennai Port Oct 8, the official said, not wanting to be named.
He said the ship's engine was not powerful enough to counter the strong winds and it started drifting towards the shore.
According to him, the possibility of the ship sailing back depends on the extent of the damage the vessel has suffered.
According to Chennai Port officials, all the ships at the harbour were asked to go into the sea as a safety measure.
Meanwhile, onlookers at the beach experienced a sort of sand blasting with specks of sand hitting the exposed parts of their bodies at great force as gusts of wind picked up, making them run for cover.
"We came here to see the fury of the sea waves. The bonus is this ship that has run aground," an excited onlooker said.