In the previous episode, I touched upon the beginnings of a massive-everrescue, relief and reconstruction operation in the after math of
Tsunami 2004 disaster. Now on to more poignant details.


    The under-sea earth quake near sumatra islands of
Indonesia tilted up the ocean floor by several metres producing
displacement energies in the scale of several atomic bombs. A massive
sea surge or Tsunami waves began their journey from the epi centre of
the quake. The waves started at a speed of 800 kms/hour and start with
waves were only few feet high. As it neared the coastal shore line the
speed reduced to 500 kms/hour and the waves gained height upto several
metres -more than palm-tree high as the reduced speed translated into
height of the waves. What the waves dis was to sedn the boats swirling
like match sticks, smashing them against dwellings and buildings on the
shore. The buildings themselves took a hit and lay in shambles. More
than a lakh people were rendered homeless and thousands of lifeless
bodies were strewen around in the entire shore line and on streets
close to the beach.


    Those rendered homeless became REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN
COUNTRY. Several volutary organisations(non governmental organisations-
NGOs) from all parts of India and abroad converged on this small town
distributing relief materials like clothe materials, food plates,
blankets,utensils. Temporary accommodation was set up in marriage
halls, school premises, colleges. I went round the town meeting people
from several voluntary organisations requesting them not to hand over
the relief  materials to the authorities. Instead I asked them to
bring cooking utensils and food materials into the temporary
acommodations and get it cooked there itself and serve it to the
starving brethren. My request was heeded and my brethren poor or rich
came to eat full meals without any hitch or delay of administrative
distribution. I   also sat with them to taste for myself and
test the quality of food they are being served. Outside acommodation, I
also offered some food to select people from food stalls near by. There
was a heart-moving experience a lady travelling all alone with her car
dirver with cooked food for around 200 people  from distant town
ERODE seeing the plight of starving people on TV. Reaching here, she
said," I was so moved by the scenes on TV that I came to offer whatever
I can to feed the starving victims". My own efforts paled in comparison
with the lady"s.

     Army was out on 27 th December 2004, the day
next to the disaster to undertake relief operations. For a change
political activists irrespective of their political affiliations joined
hands in retreiving the bodies lying all around. Sniffer dogs were
pressed into service to scent out the bodies that lay buried in debris.
As there was no space to bury the countless bodies, they were mass
buried in pits dug several metres deep and wide and shoving them in.
Early decomposing chemicals were sprinkled before the pit was closed to
ensure speedy decomposition and avoiding of infections all around.
Velankanni the most famous pilgrimage spot and close to my town was a
scene of such a mass burial.

     Fishermen who take to water as fish were
afraid to venture into sea for months. They lost all boats in their
possession making it imposible to venture out into sea. Several
voluntary organisations stepped in to feed the fishermen and victims
for months providing them with food. Temporary shelters with metal
compartents were set up at various locations and those in temporary
accommodations were shifted to them.

    
Permenant houses were built in thousands by several organisations 
including  TATAs and muti-national  affiliate  volutary
organisations.  The
construction of  houses  are
still  on even after 4 years of the disaster as land for
construction had to be allotted by the Government. Facilities like
mini-desalination plants were set up to  provide purified drinking
water to the tsunami affected.

     Government for its part distributed 2 lakh rupees for each of the deceased victims.

    
Many dignitaries including Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
Bill Clinton and our one and only Abdul Kalam all visited this small
nestling coastal town.

     The
reconstruction phase is still on. And I am moving away from this place
on transfer with memories of the worst-ever disaster which killed more
than 2 lakh people across 12 nations on a single day.

    Join me in offering condolences to the victims.


    Kandasamy Mohan.