The Hindu : Kerala News : Little response to tsunami alert in Kollam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Little response to tsunami alert in Kollam

By Ignatius Pereira

KOLLAM, DEC. 30. The alert on a possible tsunami onslaught on the Kerala coast today did not evoke any serious response along the coastal areas of Kollam district, the worst hit by Sunday's seismic sea waves. Though the police made announcements along the coastal areas for the people to shift to safer places, the response was by and large tardy.

But towards evening — when the tsunami threat became serious after television channels reported a rise in the sea level at a couple of locations along the coastline — a good number of people living close to the sea shifted to relief camps. But members of the fishing community by and large preferred to stay in their houses. Those who shifted said that the relief camps would be safer for them during night.

A relief camp opened on the S.N. College campus here became almost full after sunset when those living near the shore in the Thumbara and Mundakkal areas arrived there to spend the night safely. The district authorities expect more people from the coastal areas to shift to relief camps for the night.

An attraction

At many coastal areas in the district, the tsunami threat turned into an attraction of sorts, as hundreds of people rushed to the coastline in whatever mode of transport available to get a glimpse of the seismic waves. Many of them waited for a couple of hours on the beach braving the hot sun. But when the waves failed to turn up, many of them were seen returning in dejection.

In order to house those evacuated, several cashew factories in the coastal areas were directed to stop work and their peeling sheds were kept ready for the purpose. But the gesture went in waste as none from the coastal areas moved over to these sheds.

By noon, a few women and children from some pockets did move over to stay with their relatives at safer distances. But most of the women preferred to seek refuge at nearby church compounds. The men appeared firm on remaining near their houses and close to the beach. They said that when they returned home from relief camps last Tuesday after being evacuated the previous day, they were shocked to find many of their valuables stolen. They said they would move to safer places in case the waves appear.

Fishing hamlets

Life appeared normal in the fishing hamlets, but traditional boats that normally lie on the beach were tugged inland and tethered to electric posts and coconut palms as a measure to prevent them from getting sucked into the sea in case the waves strike.

In some areas on the shoreline, the men were seen engrossed in card games.

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