11 years after, scars of tsunami still remain fresh

Eleven years  have gone by but the scars of the devastating tsunami that had struck the coast of Tamil Nadu on this day in 2004 still remain fresh for several people.

Take for example, the fishermen community. Several hundreds of women, who lost their fishermen husbands in the deadly disaster in the coastal areas of Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Chennai districts, are yet to overcome the shock and surviving the days for the sake of their children.

Forty-five-year Kamakshi, who lost her husband on the fateful day and earns a living by selling flowers in Chennai, said she is yet to know where he had disappeared after the tsunami struck. But the woman’s life has been lighted up by her meritorious daughter who has a promising academic career ahead.

Official records say 8,000 lives were lost while several thousands more went missing in the tsunami which had triggered deadly tidal waves. Besides the deaths, it had also left behind a trail of destruction.

The records said that in Nagapittinam, which was the worst affected, more than 2,000 are still missing. The death toll here was little over than 6,000. While more than 600 perished in Cuddalore district, over 200 lost their lives in Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu government, Centre and various non-governmental organisations have constructed hundreds of houses in the Tsunami-ravaged areas, resettlement of many affected people is still not complete.

One of the major reason for this is the choice of site for relocation. Most of the fishermen living in Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapittinam have ignored government’s rehabilitation plan since they feel the new accommodation is located very far from the sea, which is central to their livelihood.

Tributes paid to victims
Meanwhile, fishing communities living along the tsunami-affected coastal districts of Tamil Nadu paid floral tributes to the victims of the tragedy. Processions and special prayer meetings were held in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kanyakumari.

In Chennai, fishing community members poured milk and flower petals in the sea as a mark of respect to the victims.