Tsunami: Shock and grief still alive in their hearts

On the same day in 2004, the shrill cry of people who lost their loved ones rang clear. Many were seen running around frantically in search of their relatives and those who were dragged into the sea by the waves, while others had fallen to the ground, lifeless. 

Unable to forget that dreadful day, Thambu, a resident of Kasimedu, said, “I was in the middle of my lunch, when I heard people scream. They said that the water had come to the shore. I ignored their cries as it did not sound dangerous. However, when I heard so many people scream and saw them run, I left my food and ran. We never knew what it was or why did the water come to the shore. We saw policemen clearing the shore after the Tsunami. Most of the bodies were of little children who were either playing on the shore, or selling sundal on the beach. It was traumatising.” The memory of that day when the tidal waves flattened houses and shops on the shore continues to remain strong in the minds of all those who witnessed the trauma on that dreadful day.

While fishermen refrained from going out fishing on Tuesday, they placed black flags on their boats to express their grief. “I remember seeing a mother holding her baby tight in her arms when she saw the great wave. She could not run. The wave took her baby,” remembered another person. 

In memory of the dead, flowers were laid beneath the pictures of many who lost their lives. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar and MLA TTV Dinakaran also joined in paying tributes at Kasimedu.