The fishermen, belonging to Kanyakumari district, were stranded at sea as the cyclone hit Odisha on Saturday. With their boat unable to withstand the rough sea, the fishermen jumped into the waters and swam to the shore at Ersama in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha.
They were later taken to the district headquarters after being given medical aid, food, water and clothing.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had directed the officials to take the necessary steps to help the fishermen.
The 18 fishermen were first taken to New Delhi and, from there, arrived by a flight here, airport sources said.