Gaja: Fishers take very nasty hit in east Thanjai

Thanjavur: Though Thanjavur has only 47-km of coast after it was trifurcated into Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts, the entire 47-km stretch bore the brunt of ‘Gaja’ cyclone as it hit Vedaranyam and travelled on land alongside the Palk Straits. 

The destruction it let loose on the coastal villages and damage it caused to their properties like boats and nets is very heavy. Fishermen and women in most of the coastal villages still stay in relief centres. 

Trees that fell and blocked their colony in places like Adhirampattinam have not yet been removed, they told a visiting DC correspondent. Some of them said that they do not have even food to eat and are looking for any vehicles that may bring food to them by standing on the roads. 

Fishermen were not permitted to go to sea six days before ‘Gaja’ struck land. “But after the cyclone there is no possibility of going to sea as we lost our boats nets and our livelihood,” said A. Jayapal, president of Thanjavur district 

country boat fishermen welfare association. There are 34 fishing hamlets from Adhirampattinam to Sethubavachathiram.    

According to figures released by the government, 127 motor boats have been fully damaged, 119 partly damaged, 50 country boats fully damaged, 782 partly 

damaged, ten  were fully damaged, 37 partly damaged, 1,140 boat engines and 1,428 nets have also been  damaged. Jayapal says the relief announced by the 

government was not sufficient. Government has announced ' 30,000 for country-wood made boats partly damaged and 85,000 for fully damaged ones. 

“A boat itself costs Rs 2 lakh and how can this amount be sufficient,” he asked. With respect to mechanised boats, 

government has announced ' five lakh for a boat while the cost of the boat is '25 lakh to ' 30 lakh. 

“Instead of giving this relief, the government should come forward to repair partly damaged boats and provide new boats in the place of fully damaged boats. Government should also provide new fishing nets,” he said. 

“Fishermen will get from Rs 500 to Rs 2000 per day when they go for catch. Monthly, each one will get ' 30,000 to '50,000. We have lost five crore of business in five days,” Jayapal lamented.  

“Urgent need is providing electricity to our colonies so that we may return home. Provide us drinking water and food until we are able to sustain ourselves,” he added.