The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Waves continue to lash Kanyakumari coast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Waves continue to lash Kanyakumari coast

By P. S. Suresh Kumar

NAGERCOIL, MARCH 12. Giant waves accompanied by heavy winds today continued to hit the coastal areas of this district particularly the tsunami-affected fishermen hamlets of Ayiramkalpozhimukam near Rajakkamangalam, Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Chinna Muttom, Arockiyapuram, Azhikal, Simon colony, Vaniyakudi, Kodimunai, Kurumpanai, Mandaikadu, Manavalakurichi and Kadiyapattinam.

For the second day, the district administration drained seawater and filled low-level areas with sand. Fishermen in a few areas near Kanyakumari took their catamarans, `vallams' and fishing nets to safer places.

The Collector, Sunil Paliwal, visited the coastal areas to instil confidence in the fisherfolk. The official machinery was geared up to drain seawater from coconut groves, where seawater ingress occurred.

Speaking to The Hindu, the Collector said that normally the sea would be rough during March and April. Sand dunes in coastal areas served as a barrier, preventing seawater intrusion. But the December 26, 2004 killer waves washed away almost all sand dunes. Now sand was being dumped to prevent intrusion of seawater. Fishermen ventured into the sea as usual.

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