The Hindu : Kerala News : Death toll mounts to 30 in Alappuzha

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Death toll mounts to 30 in Alappuzha

By A. Harikumar

KAYAMKULAM, DEC. 28. The death toll in the tsunami onslaught on the coastal areas in Alappuzha district rose to 30 today with the death of one more person.

Bhaskaran (85), Kavintekizhakathil House, Perumpally, who had been admitted to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, died this morning. The total number of persons who died in the seismic sea waves in Arattupuzha has now risen to 27. The remaining three who died in the district were residents of Andhakaranazhi near Cherthala.

Officials at Kayamkulam said they had released 23 dead bodies in the district today to the relatives. As an immediate aid, the Government gave a sum of Rs.10,000 each to the families of the dead for funeral.

Five hundred persons are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the district. Twenty persons are undergoing treatment in various multi-speciality hospitals outside the district, the officials said.

A large number of residents of the coastal areas in the district who fled their homes on Monday night fearing a fresh onslaught of tsunamis returned to their homes today. Even the police had made announcements at some places requesting the residents of coastal areas to vacate their homes. A large number of people fled to the eastern part of the district following this.

Meanwhile, the cremation of the bodies released today was held at Arattupuzha panchayat today evening. A large number of people from various walks of life, including political leaders, attended it.

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