Cyclone Montha has revealed the remnants of an old shipwreck close to the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

The discovery has intrigued locals, historians and marine conservationists who state it might unveil important details about Odisha’s maritime past and historic trade routes along the Bay of Bengal.

The vessel was seen around a kilometre off Ekakulanasi village under Rajnagar block.

The rough sea conditions and strong tides triggered by the cyclone might have disturbed the seabed, revealing the long-submerged structure.

Per experts, the ship could date back to the British era, stating that its aluminium components seem like an unusual material for modern fishing vessels.

However, it is still difficult to ascertain its exact period and origins, which are still being investigated.

From the design, it seems that the vessel might belong to the colonial period and holds significant historical significance, but nothing can be said for sure before a complete analysis of the remains, as further research is needed, per local environmentalist Bijaya Kabi.

Per residents, the debris could endanger fishing trawlers and patrol boats, especially during high tide. They have urged the authorities to take precautionary measures and remove the wreck from the sea if possible, as it poses risks to vessels sailing nearby.

According to local observers, the ship may have been involved in an accident decades ago and was later carried by strong currents to its present resting place.