Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Namaskars and greetings from Kanyakumari!
After the harrowing day of 26 December 2004 when the Tsunami hit Kanyakumari, there were many anxious enquiries from many of the well-wishers of Vivekananda Kendra. These enquiries in such time overwhelmed us and we are very grateful to all. This letter is specifically sent to you to keep yourselves update about the position over here. Though Vivekananda Kendra has establishments on sea-shores in many of the affected areas but really it is the grace of Ishvara that nowhere there was loss of life. We would like to bring to your kind notice the effect of Tsunami tidal waves on Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vivekanandapuram and Pumpoohar ferry service and also on our schools in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
The impact of Tsunami:
When the Tsunami hit Kanyakumari 1200 people on the Rock Memorial got stranded. The rescue operations were taken up after the giant waves stopped at 15.00 hrs. Food packets were sent to them around 15.00 hrs through the local fishing boats as well as airdropped through helicopter. All the pilgrims stranded on the Rock were safely rescued with the help of fishermen by 20.30 hrs.
In Kanyakumari tourists numbering about 40 were taking bath on the bathing ghats, when the tidal waves came. They are all missing. Human loss in the Kanyakumari district, especially, in the villages on the sea-shore has crossed 700. It may further go up. The Kendra building near the sea-shore at Rameshwaram and in Triplicane at Chennai are safe.
The damages caused on the Rock Memorial are as under:
Though very big waves were coming in the sea by the grace of Swami Vivekananda the main building of Rock Memorial is safe. Though some damages are caused for other structures like;
Southern wall under the circular path way : 18’ H x 50’ L
Railings near Sripad Mandapam,
Railings near Ladies toilet,
Railings near Northern water tank
Railings of the circular path way from Southern helipad till end
Break water wall on the eastern side
Kendra’s boat ‘Eknath’ standing on the jetty platform would need thorough repairs.
In Vivekanandapuram Campus beach wall 50' L x 6' H got damaged needs reconstruction.
The Boat Jetty:
The Boat Jetty on the shore is totally damaged and would take almost 3 months to reactivate it. The Queue shed has been totally damaged. Both the boats of Pumpoohar Shipping Corporation used for the ferrying the people to Rock Memorial also need thorough repairs. One of their boats is missing till date. The dredging of the jetty is also needed.
The closure of ferry service shall have tremendous impact on the tourists flow to Kanyakumari. The economy of Kanyakumari depends wholly on it. The Kendra also is going to have loss of revenue to the tune of almost Rs 1 crore.
Relief Work:
Kendra has taken relief works in the following areas of Kanyakumari District:
Sambhashivapuram (Kurunthancode block)
Periyavillai (Near Colachel)
Vellichanthai - Padmanabha Mandapam (from Muttom & Azhikal areas)
Thalavaipuram (from Melathurai & Pillaithoppu)
Alankottai (from Azhikal & Pillai Thoppu)
Puthalam, Manavalapuram & Therivilai
Veeraba Pathi (Near Ambala Pathi)
Keela Puthalam, Pettha Peruamal Kudieruppu, South Therivillai, Panikkan Kudieruppu & South Anju, Kudieruppu
Seiyonpuram
Idinthakarai
Sothavillai
Initial help of cloths and other essential material worth Rs.6 lakhs have already been provided about 1000 families in the above areas.
Our branch at Chennai has taken up relief work in collaboration with Seva Bharati in the coastal areas of Chennai, Nagapattinam and Kadalur.
The Schools in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
In Andamans Kendra workers and other sister organizations have already started relief works in a big way.
We have 9 schools in Andamans and the available reports show the effect of the Earth Quake/Tsunami as follows:
1. VKV-Hut Bay:
This Vidyalaya is the worst affected. As there were some personal works for the teachers, all except the In-Charge of the school (Shri Dinesan K V) were in Port Blair when the incident occurred. Shri Dinesan was alone. Water due to the tsunami waves entered the campus and the buildings were under water within no time. We have lost all 3 computers (the systems and printer), Telephones, Television, Tape recorder, Library books, School records and many of the furniture. Some of the portions of the school are partially damaged too. As the area was getting filled with sea-water and there was no time to assess further, Shri Dinesan also ran out and escaped with the only cloth he was wearing. The next two days & nights he was staying in the jungle along with some of the people who could escape luckily. They could watch dead bodies of human beings and cattle floating in and around including our school campus. It may take some more time even just to go and assess the situation after the water has gone down. The administration is not allowing anybody to go there except the officials. Now the sea is very close to the school as per the latest received reports.
The school may not function even by the end of this month as the Boat Jetty is not serviceable or other communication is not restored yet. Crocodiles have started to consume the remaining dead bodies. As the area is mostly of Hindu population, the attention from the authority is also very less. All are interested in aerial surveys!
2. VKV-Port Blair:
The school has got many cracks in the walls of almost 30 class rooms and newly built office block. The old Assembly hall which was being used for primary section’s assembly till last week has partially collapsed. Now that building is not useful for any further use and it needs to be demolished immediately to avoid any threat to children. Water supply lines are broken. The repairing is being done. 2 computers fell down and broke. Almost all the glass racks of office, library, staff rooms and laboratory are broken.
No casualty for any staff or students. Father of one of the class XI students has drowned when he went on special duty for a week to Nicobar. Around 30 students of our school have lost many of their personal belongings, text books, note books and house hold items as water has entered their houses, taken away so many of their things. We visited the houses and assured all sort of helps to them.
3. VKVs at Rangat, Chouldari, Diglipur, Kadamtala, Pahalgaon, Basantipur and VKV Nagar Palia at Port Blair:
The buildings in all these Vidyalayas have developed cracks and they may need urgent repairs.
With respectful regards.
Yours sincerely,
(A Balakrishnan)
Vice-President
Vivekananda Kendra
Kanyakumari
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