Report on Tsunami and its after effects and this Union’s contribution
Report by THE MADRAS PORT TRUST EMPLOYEE’S UNION
The killer Tsunami which struck the east & south coast of India on Sunday 26th December 2004. It paralised the entire operations of Chennai port. This incident has reportedly caused a loss of Rs.10 Crores to the Chennai Port.
The Tsunami, resulted in many parts of the Port getting inundated, including the wharf on which cars meant for exports were parked, as many as five cargo vessels were damaged as they crashed into each other in the giant tides. The rising water level inside the Harbour and the repeated bouts of the high tides led to some of the ships rocking violently. The wharf's, hatches, some cranes and navigational equipment were damaged.
The Fishing Harbour was also damaged causing, damage to the fishing boats. The Chennai Port lend suitable cranes to put back all the boats, that were washed thrown on the wharf.
ABG Keshava, which was berthed at Chokani Dry Dock, broke its line and hit Ambedkar Dock, 200 metres away, causing a loss of nearly Rs.35 lakh, around 9 a.m. Ten minutes later, the same vessel collided with two vessels, ‘Canadian Express’ and ‘Gem of Tuticorin’ which were anchored at west quay.
As much as 2000 tonnes of raw sugar loaded in the Gem Of Tuticorin dissolved in the sea. Meanwhile, another coal ship ‘Jagarathna’ that was berthed at Jawahar Dock-2 was damaged badly in the surging water.
Another great loss was the damage to the ‘Dolphin Buoy’, a platform to hinge the ship. Five employees sustained minor injuries that too because they fell while running to safety. It is also reported that draft of the Port, in some wharf's has been reduced by Tsunami, so Port Administration now pressed our dredger cauvery, round the clock to setright the draft of the Port.
On 26th December 2004, I myself personally along with some comrades went inside the Port to asses the damages and reported to the Chairman and our Union demanded not to post, workers on duty until Tsunami threat is over. We have asked all the underground drinking water tanks should be cleaned and fresh water should be filled.
Our Union has authorised the Chairman, Chennai Port Trust to deduct a days salary from our members & remit the same to Prime Minister Relief Fund and also decided to choose one of Tsunami affected area to distributed some utilities to the affected people by collecting funds from office bearers and activists.
On 30th December 2004, there was a threat of Tsunami again in the morning at about 11.00 a.m. Immediately the entire port work has come to stand still and the work has ranked for the second shift.
Yours fraternally,
G.M.KRISHNAMURTHY
General Secretary.
M.P.T.E.U.
Date published: 17 January 2005
