Kanchipuram, Jan 06: The destruction brought about
by the Tsunami in the district was estimated at Rs 79.50
crore, District Collector R Venkatesan said.
Tourism, fisheries and agriculture were the major
industries hit hard by the natural disaster displacing over
2000 fishermen families, Venkatesan told reporters here.
Over 13,000 country fishing boats and fibre reinforced
boats and nets were destroyed. Twenty six hectares of paddy
land, 30 hectares of groundnut farms besides 21 hectares of
fallow and graze land have been swept by the waves, he said.
Forty four habitats lost their fresh water source as
sea entered their wells, he said. Loss due to an abrupt end to
tourism activity alone is calculated at Rs 2.5 crore.
Relief measures like pumping out of saline water from
the wells were on, he said.
Ten water tanker lorries have been engaged for
bringing fresh water and 500 UNICEF-donated Sintex tanks have
been installed around the Nemmeli village for fresh water
supply.
Over 1000 missing ration cards were re-issued. Twenty
two thousand fishermen families were given a cash of Rs 2000
each and 60 kg rice and clothing, Venkatesan said.
School kits have been donated by Punjab National Bank.
Fifteen medical teams worked in the affected area and
carried out preventive measures including administering of
vitamin a tablets and UNICEF vaccines. There was no report of
outbreak of epidemic, he said.
Bureau Report
