Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101569380600.htm

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Tamil Nadu

Tsunami-hit families in roofless shelters

R. Srikanth

This follows Chennai Corporation’s demolition drive

— PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANEGMENT

SHELTER SANS ROOF: Roofs of shelters in Ernavoor being removed as part of a demolition drive.

CHENNAI: Following the Chennai Collectorate’s demolition drive in the tsunami-affected settlements in Ernavoor, more than 400 families are left with roofless shelters.

The Collectorate, while allocating permanent shelters (houses) to the tsunami-affected families in Tondiarpet, demolished more than 1,500 semi-permanent shelters on October 6.

Director of non-governmental organisation Karunalaya Social Service Society N. Paul Sunder Singh said that while 991 families were allotted permanent houses in Tondiarpet, 409 families had no choice but to reside in shelters without roofs.

Mr. Singh pointed out that more than 600 families in the tsunami-affected settlements in Ernavoor were living in poor conditions without basic amenities such as water, electricity and public convenience. Mr. Singh said the officials while demolishing the semi-permanent shelters had cut off supply of water and electricity. They even demolished public toilets, forcing the people to defecate in open spaces, he added.

At present, people in the settlements are facing problems such as drinking water shortage, as the water available in the borewells is not fit for consumption.

Moreover, lack of electricity and ineffective policing left the women folk vulnerable to molestation, he said. Despite several attempts, the Chennai Collector could not be reached for comment.