Tamil Nadu - Nagercoil   

Colachel youth come to terms with tragedy

By S. Sundar

NAGERCOIL, DEC. 27 . Their puffed eyes, sore throat and wails presented a poignant scene in the coastal hamlets of Colachel in Kanyakumari district, ravaged by seismic waves on Sunday.

At least most of the youth have come to terms with the loss of lives. They are tired, having retrieved bodies of their men from debris.

Biju saw his five-year-old brother, Abi, being guzzled by a giant wave. Like Biju, most of his friends, who escaped death, do not fear death.

"Why should I live any longer," cries Baskar, ashamed of his inability to save his mother. "The tide, which rose up to 20 feet, thrashed us against walls. Though many children and the aged shouted for help, we could do nothing but to cling to whatever we could get hold of," says Saju.

Silent strike

Most of the people were watching a telecast of the impact of the catastrophe in Chennai, when the tide unobtrusively swept the entire coastal areas, from Manakudi to Colachel.

The youth, who went without food for nearly 24 hours, quenched their thirst with tender coconuts on coming back to the beach. They returned to their hamlets to prevent theft of property. As the villages were deserted, anti-social elements went on a looting spree. The villagers handed over to the police at least six miscreants.

For those who could not see for themselves the ferocity of the tide, the tsunami left its mark, pushing catamarans more than 250 metres away into the shore. A few were seen dumped on the roofs of damaged houses. Chairs, containers, cradles, dresses and footwear were lying scattered.

A thick sheet of slush covered the areas, especially Muttam, Kadiyapattinam, Kottilpadu and Colachel.

Today curiosity drove many people, from far and near, to the beach after the fear of the tsunami striking again died down.

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Rescue efforts in full swing in Kanyakumari district
Colachel youth come to terms with tragedy
CM assures all help to sufferers

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