Wednesday, December 29 2004 17:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colachel (TN): The air is thick with the stench of human flesh. The fear of outbreak of epidemic looms large over the villages. Searchers are making last-ditch efforts to trace bodies in the debris of collapsed houses.

People in a string of fishing hamlets, who bore the brunt of the ocean's fury, are yet to reconcile themselves to the loss and destruction spawned by the calamity.

What has been left untouched by nature's wrath are a few stonewalled churches, built centuries back.

The death toll has officially been put at 806. But many believe that the count could be much higher, as about 700 persons are reported missing.

According to local people, more bodies were washed ashore since yesterday afternoon. Old timers say this is a sign of the sea regaining normalcy after remaining abnormal for three days.

According to officials, the calamity affected one lakh people in 33 villages in Kanyakumari district. Over 26,000 people are still in 45 relief camps.

Over 7690 houses were damaged and about 2250 livestock have perished.

Gearing up relief measures, the Government has pressed into service, a 22-member mobile team of doctors, which is doing the rounds of the affected areas.