Monday, December 27 2004 12:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kollam (Kerala): It will take a long long time for the people in the picturesque coastline in Kollam to overcome the shock of the nightmare caused by the killer waves that claimed over 100 lives in the densely populated fishing hamlets of the district.

In a string of sea-facing village in Karunagapllay taluk, there could hardly be anyone who is not bereaved.

"It all happened in a flash. Before one could come to know what it actually is, furious waves had taken away all we have ...our kith and kin, small savings, thatched huts and fishing implements. We don't know where to go and how to start it again," said Francis from Azhikkal.

What awaited 39-year-old Sajeevan when he returned from fishing yesterday (Dec 26, 2004) was the shocking news that his wife and daughter had been swallowed by surging waves.

A long strip of huts-lined land sandwiched between sea and backwaters near Vallikkavu had remained cut off for several hours before the rescuers came in boats to take out bodies move the survivors to safer places.

Frightened by surging waters, many people had shut themselves up their houses, which exposed them to greater danger than those who sought to escape the surging waters by running away, local people said.

The true dimensions of the tragedy would be known only when all these houses are opened, the rescuers said.