Book release: Tsunami and one year after

On behalf of first Tsunami anniversary (26th December 2005), the District Administration - Cuddalore released a book on "TSUNAMI AND ONE YEAR AFTER" compiled by Mr. M.S. Shanumugam, DRO-RR, Cuddalore District and Mr. Sherine David SA, NUNV, DRF, Cuddalore & Villupuram, UNTRS-TN.

In this 65 page book, they had documented the immediate aftermath of Tsunami and subsequent efforts taken in Cuddalore District from an Administrator's point of view. Hope this book will be a useful resource for the people working in the field of Tsunami Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - Cuddalore District.

TSUNAMI – ONE YEAR AFTER

Last year, this time, the giant killer waves of Tsunami struck the coasts along eleven nations, killing nearly 2,00,000 people and destroying properties worth billions of dollars. The earthquake of 8.9 Richter magnitude originated in the Indian Ocean just north of Simeulue island, off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The resulting Tsunami devastated the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries with waves up to 30 m (100 ft). Of the 13 districts that were struck by the tidal waves along Tamil Nadu's coastline, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari were the worst affected. Nagapattinam alone accounted for 6,065 deaths in the catastrophe, which was 76 per cent of Tamil Nadu's total toll.
All the countries around the Indian Ocean, from Indonesia to Somalia, are observing the first anniversary of the tsunami with memorial services and silent prayers.

To commemorate the first Anniversary of the incident, the Districts affected by Tsunami in Tamil Nadu, India are observing the day, today (Monday, 26th December 2005). Year on, a huge reconstruction operation has brought hope to hundreds of thousands living in temporary shelters. This commemoration is not only to remember the past incident, but also focuses on the future development, to prepare for such occurrence in the coming years.

Hit by Disaster – Cuddalore:
Tsunami caused a serious damage in the coast of Cuddalore district. 99,704 persons belonging to fifty-one fishing hamlets in Cuddalore and Chidambaram Taluks were affected severely due to Tsunami Disaster in Cuddalore District. A total number of 11,804 families were affected and 61,054 persons were evacuated and provided shelter in temporary camps as a part of rescue and relief operations. 610 people lost their lives due to this tragedy and 38 were reported missing. 2100 farmers were affected directly due to Tsunami and 1592.98.2 hectares of land turned saline and unfit for agriculture.

Tsunami Anniversary – Cuddalore:

In order to commemorate first Tsunami anniversary, the community along with the NGO’s working in their particular affected communities, planned the programmes with guidance from District Administration – Cuddalore. Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Collector, Cuddalore District and Mr. Shanmugam, District Revenue Officer, Relief and Rehabilitation, Cuddalore District are visiting the special programmes organized by the respective communites. Some of the progammes organized by community are given below:

Hit by Disaster – Villupuram:
72840 persons belonging to fifty-one fishing hamlets in Vanur and Dindivanam Taluks were affected severely due to Tsunami Disaster in Villupuram District. A total number of 9.500 families were affected. 47 people lost their lives due to this tragedy and 1 was reported missing. 1588.2 hectares of land turned saline and unfit for agriculture.

Tsunami Anniversary – Villupuram:
First Tsunami anniversary day is observed on 26.12.2005 at Koonimedukuppam under the auspicious Chairman ship of the Collector, Viluppuram District. Programme started at 8.30 a.m. today & will prolong through out the day.

Tsunami changes tribals' life for better
Sam Daniel
Thursday, December 22, 2005 (Kalainar Nagar)

Last year's devastating tsunami has been a blessing in disguise for the Irula tribe in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.

Once an impoverished primitive community, now they have been provided with boats and nets.

Traditionally snake catchers, this community was forced to change occupations when the government banned snake catching. So while they moved to fishing, they had neither boats nor nets and remained frozen on the margins of society.

Dramatic change

The tsunami brought with it a dramatic change for the better. The Irulas were noticed by the district administration and given free boats and nets by NGOs, which have made a huge difference to their lives.

"Only after the tsunami, authorities got to know our plight. Although the country got freedom a long time ago, only the tsunami got us freedom," said a tribesman.

"After the tsunami our lives have turned better. Now we get to eat something regularly," said another tribe member.

Huge challenge

Not everyone in this 2,000 strong community, though, has been touched by change and drawing the adivasis into the mainstream has been a huge challenge for the district administration.

"Still the condition of Irula tribe is extremely backward. A lot needs to be done. This was an opportunity for us to improve their living conditions in consultation with them," said Gagandeep Singh Bedi, collector.

In the next few weeks, many of the Irulas will move from their huts to pucca structures thanks to the rehabilitation schemes.

The Irulas could possibly be the only community that could consider the tsunami to be a blessing in disguise. Their lives have undergone a sea change and they say they shall ever remain indebted to the tsunami for extricating them from the clutches of poverty.

Tsunami survivors yet to find homes

Thursday, December 22, 2005 (Banda Aceh):

As the first anniversary of the December 26 tsunami approaches, many survivors in hard-struck Indonesian province of Aceh are still living in makeshift shelters, with little hope of a permanent roof in the near future.

Rista, a 39-year-old fisherman from the village of Kakap, on Cermin beach, lost his wife and two children in the tsunami.

He now lives a life of solitude, still residing in the make shift shelter that has housed him since the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated the western coast of Indonesia's Aceh province.

The disaster killed more than 130,000 people in Indonesia. Nearly 25,000 are listed as missing.

Long term assistance:

Just days after the tsunami struck, aid agencies and governments from around the world rushed in food, water and medicine to desperate people stranded along the Aceh coast, saving thousands of lives.

But one year on, survivors are complaining that little of the long-term assistance has materialised.

Rista says that where alternative housing has been made available it is too faraway from his place of work, so he has no choice but to remain in his tent.

"It's better to be here than at the barracks. As a fisherman, it is easier for me to do my daily activities. The barracks are too far away and I don't have transportation to get me here everyday," Rista said.

Without the support of a family Rista is now forced to cook and clean for himself too, something he has had to learn to do.

Alone a great deal of the time, Rista finds comfort in listening to his radio. Although things are tough he has never given up.

He has sent out requests for help to build a new house but received only promises in return.

"Thousands of promises are given (by the government and Non Governmental Organisations) but until now they have not materialised. We have also received many offers of help, but again, it never happened," Rista said.

Rista is not alone in his predicament in the Kakap village. Many people can be seen living in tents, and villagers can see no evidence that the situation will change soon. (AP)

Chennai property prices regain ground

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 (Chennai)

Sanjay Pinto

For owners of expensive beach front property in Chennai, the tsunami in December 2004 brought a nightmare of a different kind.

Post tsunami, the prices of beach properties in the area nose dived. A 2,400 square feet plot, priced at Rs 75 lakh, crashed to Rs 40 lakh.

To add to the problem was that there were very few takers.

Bounce back

However, the downward spiral was short lived as the real estate business has now bounced back.

"Tsunami created a flutter for a short time. People were in a mood to withdraw from the bookings already made. But that didn't last," said P V Sanmugam, MD, Kgeyes Builders.

Even in areas like Kottivakkam, the rate for a 2,400 square feet plot is now Rs 25 lakh, up from the Rs 10 lakh it had dropped to after the tsunami.

"The value of property with approved layouts built closer to the sea has doubled in the past six to seven months," says C Subba Reddy, MD, Ceebros Properties.

Norms flouted

The government's Coastal Regulatory Zone prohibits settlements upto 500 metres from the sea but many houses here violate this rule, which affected the market post tsunami.

And even now many new homes are still being built, totally violating environmental norms.

"People want to buy only if there is an approval. The funding agencies too would give loans only for approved places. But most of the houses built are unapproved," says Suhail Sarushi, VP, Chennai Real Estate Agents Association.

These beach houses are usually the second or third home for many who live here and clearly, nature's wrath is not deterrent enough for them.

Minutes of Meeting for
Formation of Cuddalore Resource/ Documentation Centre (22/12/2005)

The preliminary meeting among NGOs for the formation of Cuddalore Resource/ Documentaion Centre (henceforth ‘Centre’) was held on 22nd December 2005 at the IGSSS office venue, Cuddalore.

Participants:

Mr.Joseph, IGSSS
Mr. Valan S. , ADRA
Mr.Ranganathan, Save the Children
Ms.Rajalakshmi, ICMA
Mr.Winston, EFFICOR
Mr.Joshua, CASA
Mr.Jayakumar, World Vision
Mr. Sherine David, DRF/ UNV
Ms.Uma Parvathy, UNV
Mr.Rahul Pandit, UNDP
& K.M. Parivelan,, TNTRC

The rationale for the formation of ‘Centre’ was explained in the introduction of the meeting; even though the district administration is doing the relief, rehabilitation and recovery coordination well, there is need for independent ‘Centre’ which provides vital information on gaps identification and avoiding duplications. The Centre could be a one point source for all information pertaining to recovery process. The UNDP & TNTRC representatives meeting with Mr.Shanmugam, DRO-R&R on 22/12/2006, and the district administration approval in principle for the formation of Resource/ Documentation Centre was shared among the participants of the meeting. Earlier during the meeting Mr. Shanmugam, suggested that there is urgent need for village wise mapping of ‘sector’ information. He further shared the need for ‘documentation’ booklet, which could be collated from data/ information collected from NGOs, district administration, and community as well.

During the discussion:

Mr. Valan, ADRA, opined that there is need for coordination and resource centre as there are various limitations while implementing various recovery programmes due to lack of proper information. He suggested that the ‘Centre’ should be located in separate venue, so as to maintain its autonomous functioning. The Centre could be useful for replicating best practices and knowledge sharing from other districts and vice-versa. He also committed that ADRA could participate in ‘programmatic funding’.

Mr. Joseph, IGSSS, shared their previous experience of conducting coordination meeting. He nevertheless welcomed the present need of independent Resource/ Documentation Centre. He emphasised the need for ‘Data Directory’, which comprehensively provides various information sector wise.

Mr.Winston, EFFICOR, suggested that the ‘Centre’ could utilise post-meeting timings, conducted by district administration along with NGOs, which are regularly held on Mondays as appropriate time for interaction and information sharing among NGOs, this he felt could save the NGOs time.

Mr.Ranganathan, Save the Children, assured that ‘full support could be extended’ from his organisation. He shared the view that ‘Block level’ and ‘Village level’ information is very essential for field level implementation of recovery programmes, so in his opinion, the ‘Centre’ could take this up. He also committed that his organisation could provide programmatic support to the ‘Centre’.

Ms.Rajalakshmi, ICMA, felt the need for district specific, NGO mapping in detail. The TNTRC CSO Database was explained to her. She also opined that even before the formal inauguration of the Centre, the data collection, documentation works, etc, could be started.

Mr. Rahul, UNDP, explained the importance of Public-private partnership in post disaster context and highlighted the ‘TNTRC model’ as collective initiative of UNDP, NGOs, and Govt. of Tamil Nadu. He explained the need for independent Resource/ Documentation centre at the Cuddalore district, which will complement the role of district administration and various recovery players.

Mr. Sherine, DRF/ UNV, highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness component to be taken up by the Centre, besides this, many orientation programmes/ workshops could be conducted for district administration staff.

Outcome of the meeting:

All the participants unanimously agreed to support the formation of ‘Resource/ Documentation Centre’ at Cuddalore district.
The next meeting among the participants is fixed for 5th January 2006, for follow up action.
The ‘Concept note’ and terms of reference for Centre to be prepared by Rahul and Pari and processed with Cuddalore district administration.
Roughly between 15 and 31 January 2006, the Cuddalore District ‘Centre’ should be initiated, for its full fledged operation.

- Pari

Damaged boat - Sonankuppam - Cuddalore District

Mechanised boats in shed - Sonankuppam fishing hamlet, Cuddalore District

Mechanised boats in shed - Sonankuppam fishing hamlet, Cuddalore District

Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal

Coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry are likely to experience widespread rainfall in the next 48 hours with yesterday's depression over Southwest Bay. The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centered at 2330 hrs. IST of 17th December, 2005, near Lat. 8.50 N and Long. 83.50 E about 500 km southeast of Nagapattinam. The system is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction.

The numerical weather prediction products suggest that this system is likely to move towards Tamilnadu coast during the next 48 hours after crossing / skirting north Srilanka coast.

Under its influence fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy fall is likely along Tamilnadu coast during next 48 hours. Strong winds with speed reaching 50-60 kmph also likely along and off Tamilnadu coast during the same period.

State of sea will be rough to very rough along and off Tamilnadu coast. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea.

Heavy Rainfall Warning:

“Isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely along Tamil Nadu coast and isolated heavy falls over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 48 hours. Strong winds with speed reaching 50-60 kmph also likely along and off Tamil Nadu coast during the same period. State of sea will be rough to very rough along and off Tamil Nadu coast. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea” – Indian Meteorological Department

In the District:

The people of the Cuddalore District had already been alerted and necessary steps have been taken for rescue and relief operations, if needed. A close vigil was also being maintained at tank and lake bunds. Adequate number of sand bags and casuarina poles had been collected to strengthen bunds in case of any breach. The fishermen also have been asked not to venture in to the sea.