The Hindu : National : What kept the toll down

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 27, 2004

National

National

What kept the toll down

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

This vehicle went for a toss when the tsunami hit the Cuddalore coast. — Photo: T. Singaravelou

CHENNAI, DEC. 26. Officials and staff involved in the relief and rescue operations said that but for a stroke of good luck and coincidence the death toll could have been higher.

First, most of the fishing boats return around dawn. "Had the tsunami hit around that time, Chennai and its neighbourhood would not have had many fishermen left," said a Coast Guard officer.

A police inspector pointed to the fact that "preventive policing" had kept the toll down — the police drive people out of the beaches by around midnight every day. Because it was Christmas, they allowed people to stay a little longer. "Earlier many people used to sleep on the beach. As we do not allow anyone to sleep on the beach any longer, many were saved," he said.

Not a single ship could move out of the Chennai port once the tsunami struck. But luckily Coast Guard vessel Kittur Chinnamma, slated to leave at 10 a.m., left early. This was not a decision taken in advance by the ship's Captain: as the crew had reported for duty and since the swell was growing, there was little choice. The vessel set sail at 9 a.m. — the first to be launched for relief and rescue efforts.

Damage to vessels

Two of the three vessels damaged at the Chennai port — after a merchant vessel hit them — were due for refits soon. CGS Ahalyabhai's mast was damaged, while offshore patrol vessel CGS Vikram emerged from the mishap with a smashed quarter deck and offshore patrol vessel Sarang with damage on both sides. Vikram and Ahalyabhai are due for refits.

The Pondicherry air show slated for today also helped. The Coast Guard had despatched a ship for patrolling the seas off the Pondicherry coast and this ship was utilised for search and rescue operation in the area.

It also helped that the Coast Guard did not give up its space at the Fort St.George after it moved its eastern region headquarters to the new building near the Napier Bridge. Following the surge of water, power snapped at the new headquarters. The Coast Guard was advised not to wait for restoration of power. So, it shifted its operations to the Fort St. George, where its regional headquarters number five is located. The Coast Guard functioned from there till past noon when power was restored at the new headquarters.

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