Nagapattinam/Chennai, Dec 26 : Even after three years the deadly tsunami ravaged the southeast Indian coast, claiming thousands of lives, survivors of the tragedy are still waiting for an appropriate help from the State Government.  

“The funds allocated by the State Government are meagre. We still haven't received any aid. We cannot even leave this place. And we know that fishing is the only source of income here. The promises made by the government have not been fulfilled yet,” said Pichari Raj, a fisherman.

Candlelight marches, prayers and floral tributes marked the third anniversary of the tsunami disaster in Nagapattinam, as the kin of those who met a watery grave due to the gigantic waves along the shores of Tamil Nadu mourned the dead.

“People have perished in the giant tidal waves and we are flooded by their memories. We lost 29 kids from our school. And the candlelight marches are a remembrance for the lost children,” said Subbulakshmi, a teacher.

Tamil Nadu was worst hit during the December 26, 2004 tsunami, where more than 7,000 people were washed away.

The killer-waves hit fishing community hardest, with hundreds of small fishing hamlets dotted with poorly constructed houses and shacks.

Many of them were sitting ducks for the tsunami and most comprised women and children who could not run fast enough to escape the waves.

Three years on, many survivors are still living an uncertain life, unsure of when and where they will move into permanent houses and be able to get back to a more permanent life.

While the country was initially praised for its response to the disaster, aid and voluntary agencies have criticised the government for not providing adequate housing to tsunami victims. (ANI)