The Hindu : Kerala / Kollam News : Swollen sea triggers panic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kollam

Swollen sea triggers panic

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM, MARCH 29. Panic hit coastal areas of the city today afternoon when the sea turned unusually rough within the Tangassery Breakwater Complex. Residents were already on alert in the wake of last night's tsunami warning following a powerful earthquake in Indonesia.

By 2.30 p.m., the sea inside the complex appeared swollen and the waters entered the land. Fish workers rushed to the shore and dragged their vessels to a safe distance from the waterline.

Panic reigned even as the workers were engaged in heated arguments on whether the situation warranted safety measures.

Those who returned to the harbour from fishing said even the fishing grounds were swollen and the depth of the sea had increased.

They said the seabed looked churned. As news on the development spread, hundreds of people rushed to the shore.

The District Collector, B. Sreenivas, and the Superintendent of Police, S. Sreejith, rushed to the site and inspected the situation. None of the residents were, however, prepared to leave the area. Within an hour, the sea became calm and the panic vanished. On Monday night, tension gripped the whole coastal belt following the tsunami alert. Many of those residing along the coastal areas of the city sought refuge in churches. Groups of residents were also seen engaged in prayers. At Alapad, devastated by the December 26 tsunami, almost the whole population was evacuated to safety. Though the alert was withdrawn by midnight, most of them returned home only today.

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