The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Villagers cry for succour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Villagers cry for succour

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE, DEC. 29. For the inhabitants of Gangapatnam Pallepalem of Indukurpet mandal of Nellore district in general and for fishermen in particular, December 26 will always be remembered as a `Black Sunday.'

The tiny village, with a poor approach road and with less than 1,000 population, lost 10 of its inhabitants while another fisherman, Subramanyam, who was reported missing, returned to the village safely.

With the situation limping back to normalcy, notwithstanding the warnings about recurrence of tidal waves, villagers of Pallepalem are not overly worried about their future. As fishermen they clearly know the vicissitudes of the sea and the resultant harrowing experiences.

The only difference is earlier they knew only about cyclones, and this is the first time that they have come face to face with tsunami. But the ordeal they have suffered is not permitting them to resume a normal life. Some of them have preferred to move to distant places for the time being.

With the flurry of VIP visits coming to an end, the main question that is agitating their minds is relief. There is widespread dissatisfaction over the "lukewarm" response by the authorities. There are complaints galore about the so-called enumeration and supply of rice to the affected families.

With the toll climbing to 20, relief measures need to be expedited. But unfortunately this is not happening.

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