No.32-5/2004-NDM-I
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs  

Subject:      Tsunami impact (26^th December 2004) in A &N Islands, UT of Pondicherry and other coastal States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala –Relief, Rehabilitation and other follow up measures           

            The Tsunamis have caused extensive damage in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the States of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and UT of Pondicherry. Aftershock activity, which continued, has reduced gradually and there has been no aftershock of 6.0 and above magnitude on Richter scale after 9^th January 2005 . The death toll is at 10,749.  The total number of missing persons is at 5640 of which 5554 are from A&N Islands , who are feared to be dead.  The details of deaths, missing and relief camps are given in the Annexure.  

2.         The first phase of relief and rescue operations is almost over. The State Governments/UT Administrations have already begun rehabilitation measures for the affected people in terms of providing temporary shelters who have lost their houses, providing wage employment, restore infrastructure etc. Detailed damage assessment of the infrastructure is being made and full restoration being planned.  

3.         The fishermen community has been worst affected and a comprehensive package is under consideration for rehabilitating the affected people by providing dwelling units, fishing boats, fishing nets etc. The concerned State Governments/UT administrations are also making efforts for early resumption of normal life. All schools have reopened in the affected districts of Andhra Pradesh. Most of the schools in the affected areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry have also been reopened. All Relief camps have been closed in Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry . People from relief camps in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have started going back to their villages.  

4.         In A&N Islands, the local administration has resumed normal functioning. Procurement of essential items for relief camps is being made locally. The provision shops and schools have started re-opening in Port Blair. Relief camps in A&N Islands are continuing and people are being provided cooked food. Sufficient food, water, medicines etc. are being provided and medical teams have been deployed in relief camps. The Nicobar Group of Islands would require almost rebuilding of dwelling units. Pending permanent housing arrangements, temporary shelters are being provided. Approximately 40,000 people in the relief camps in A&N Islands would be provided temporary shelters within next one month, much before the onset of monsoon. The Central Government is providing assistance and has dispatched 14386 small (five men) tents and 1226 large (ten men) tents to A&N Islands .  

5.         The efforts of the Ministries/Departments of Government of India in brief may kindly be seen at http://www.ndmindia.nic.in/tsunami2004/ministry.htm  

 

 

(S.K. Swami)
Director (NDM.I)
Tel: 23092698/Fax 23093750
Mobile : 9811061089
Email: tsunami@nic.in