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The destruction wrought by the tsunami is still very evident. The traditional houses that were destroyed along the coast at Chennai stood on lower ground than the main beach road so water flowing over the road could not run off. This, combined with the force of water two metres deep running through the area, was the reason most of the reed houses collapsed. As well as cleaning up the debris the government is also working on a way to prevent the houses being flooded again.
Fishing boats were stranded as far as 100 metres inland from the seashore and some fishermen are reluctant to go back to sea for fear of another tsunami.
The Salvation Army will be helping this region specifically in its coastal relief programme by buying and repairing boats, restoring the means of earning a living by providing essential tools such as fishing nets, and by replacing and rebuilding houses. Community development groups will be started as well. The Salvation Army has secured a building on the marina road for offices to manage this work.
People are living in temporary shelters along the road and beach so that they do not lose their property in the area. The Salvation Army India Central Territory has established a short-term feeding programme to ensure they are provided for.
The cultural infrastructure has suffered, too, as much of the history recorded locally in books and other documents has been lost. Reports are also starting to filter through of damage to the general economy and future development of this region of India. For example, the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal that was to be dredged between Sri Lanka and India has suffered a setback because of fears of the environmental catastrophe that it would cause if another tsunami came. This means that large shipping to Chennai will continue to go around Sri Lanka to avoid the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mannar.
View a photo gallery of lime production, self-help groups and boat building – all ways in which The Salvation Army is contributing to the rehabilitation of Indian coastal communities.
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