Rotting carcasses float in streams, skeletons spread across paddy fields

NAGERCOIL: People living near water bodies and streams are faced with yet another predicament. Rotting carcasses are giving them sleepless nights while the fear of contagion outbreak too looms large.
Abdhul Khadher (50) is busy hacking at a fallen tree  blocking a stream in Shastri Naga. His actions assume importance as the uprootted tree is blocking carcasses. “As no one has come here to clear the tree, we took it upon ourselves. The area is reeking with stench of rotting carcass. This tree has to go to ensure carcass are cleared.”

I Sundar, a farmer, says a goat drowned in a well, which is used to irrigate farms. Near Konavilai, a cemetery got washed on to a farm and skeletons were found on paddy fields, said a resident.

A woman from nearby settlement said, “We use the water from these bodies for washing, cooking and drinking. With no electricity and drinking water supply, we end up using the water from the stream by boiling it. We do not know if we should file a complain and which department to move.”
Fishermen safely docked

As many as 2,384 deep sea fishermen are docked on the shores of different states and 1,126 fishermen on 126 boats were confirmed to be from Kanniyakumari district, said Director of Fisheries V P Thandapani during a press meet on Tuesday.

Addressing media persons at Collectorate on Tuesday, Director of Fisheries V P Thandapani said that they confirmed 284 boats had ventured into the sea for deep sea fishing before November 29 and 205 boats were docked in the states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Lakshadweep. As many as 2384 fishermen are safely docked in the states.

“We have confirmed the boat numbers and the identification of the people from the different states. The information of 126 boats and 1126 people have been identified and confirmed,” he added. At present, measures are taken in search for other deep sea fishermen fishing in the shores across the state.
Regarding the mechanised boats he added that coastal guards are in search of 65 fishermen and 20 boats that entered sea for fishing in mechanised boats.

The officials received information of 294 fishermen and 39 boats were missing before November 29 and so far, 19 boats and 229 fishermen were rescued.

At present, the coastal guards are still in search for the 65 fishermen and 20 boats. “The village field officers are accepting petitions of missing fishermen from the people in coastal villages and search operations continue to rescue them.

Justin Antony, INFIDET President requested government to confirm the identity to the family members with the list of missing and confirmed from the states.