Monsoon fear stalks tsunami victims
Six months on a calendar or in a lifetime may seem like a very small time
frame, but for millions of tsunami-affected people across the Asian region, the
180 days post-Tsunami feel like another lifetime altogether.
On the one hand the memories of the fearful waves and the tremors still haunt
the survivors, on the other is the pain and agony of the loss of their dear
ones.
The waves that struck changed many things in those few minutes. The scars of
the impact are still visible on satellite images, but the scars on the hearts
of survivors is what the administration is yet to fully comprehend.
Govt apathy
Be it the East Coast Road in Tamil Nadu or the tiny islands in Nicobar, the
clusters of tiny shelters still dot the coastline. Living in these small
one-room houses, are thousands of families, which are yet to come to terms with
life after December 26, 2004.
Both governmental as well as non-governmental agencies came forward to lend a
helping hand. The tragic tales of the killer waves evoked another huge wave of
emotion as help poured in from across the world.
Amidst allegations of ulterior motives, conversions and luring, the NGOs have
been rendering a helping hand. At the same time the fisher folk who were the
worst affected have got a first-hand experience of the working of the
government machinery.
Right from filing an FIR for reporting their losses of lives, property, boats
and other belongings, to the processing of the claim cheques at the revenue
offices, these victims have not just been made to run from pillar to post but
also cough up regular bribes to get the government to do its job.
Real challenge
But most survivors all that seems like a thing of the past, as they return to
the high seas in search of employment. But six months down there is another
fear looming large- the fear of the monsoon.
For the people living on the mainland east coast, monsoon may yet be a distant
worry but the survivors in the Nicobar islands may just be discovering their
greatest concern.
No doubt bringing life back to these remote islands spread across a length of
over 700 miles has been a tough task but the real challenge is in restoring the
confidence.
Promises that the government had made of procuring early warning systems to
predict tsunamis are yet to see the light of the day.
With the passage of time as memories fade, the number of helping hands recede
but for the survivors even the numbers 2 and 6 written together is enough to
send a chill down the spine.
If only the tragic date of 26 could forever be erased out of the calendars.
VaNiTa K
Dubai,UAE
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