Tsunami Survivors

Back to Index

Tsunami-hit to get houses before monsoon

Shelters made by Mata Amritanandamayee Trust for the tsunami victims in Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.

      Campbell Bay (Andaman and Nicobar Islands): The Centre has plans to rehabilitate all the victims in the worst- tsunami hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands by mid-April, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said. Patil, who was on a three-day visit to the tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said that the Central government would provide temporary accommodations before the onset of monsoons. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were the totally devastated by the killer waves that struck on Dec 26. People in Campbell Bay said a permanent roof over the head before the rainy season and potable water were the most pressing needs. "We want houses before the monsoons. And it's difficult to travel long distances for water," said Sushila. Some others wanted to be rehabilitated in the mainland. "I feel it is impossible to live here as water enters our homes. All houses here have been destroyed and we cannot go back to them. That's why we want to be rehabilitated in the mainland," said Kishan Chand. Patil, who visited various relief camps during his three-day stay to assess relief work, said providing dwellings to the victims would get top priority. "We are trying to get the temporary dwelling units constructed before the monsoons sets in. The date we have given to them is 15th April by which time the dwellings should be handed to the people who need them," he said. Around 7500 people, a majority of them Nicobarese tribals who normally live on the coast, died in the Island chain, which had a population of more than 356,000.
- Feb 15, 2005

---