The Hindu : Front Page : ``Warning was a result of different conclusions by experts''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 01, 2005

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Front Page

``Warning was a result of different conclusions by experts''

By Our Staff Reporter

MUTHUKULAM, DEC. 31. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today said the tsunami warning by the Union Home Ministry to the Chief Secretaries of south Indian States yesterday and its subsequent withdrawal by the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal, were the outcome of different conclusions reached by experts while analysing data on seismic tidal waves.

Talking to newspersons at a relief camp here, Dr. Singh pointed out that the country was experiencing a catastrophe of this nature for the first time. The differing opinions were the result of this. He said the Government would take all steps to remove the fears of the public.

Dr. Singh said geomorphological studies needed to be done on tsunami-hit Alapad and Arattupuzha panchayats in Kerala to minimise the impact of sea erosion there. This was also necessary to reduce the impact of any tidal wave attack, he said.

Addressing the victims, Dr. Singh said the Central and State Governments would make a concerted effort to solve the problems of the fisherfolk of Alappuzha and Kollam districts who had lost their valuables.

The Prime Minister assured them that the Union Government would provide adequate aid for their rehabilitation. He was accompanied by Union Ministers Sharad Pawar and Prithviraj Chauhan.

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