he only fish seen on this 4 km road is where a host of flies buzz around cut pieces. The fishermen of Akkarapettai haven't begun fishing, others are scared of eating fish. Kilati bought this fish for Rs 40 from boys who threw a net in the river nearby. She says she will dry it and sell it in the neighbouring market because people aren't buying fish in Nagapattinam.
With no fish available, the village of fish-eaters has been eating rice with sambhar, rasam or vegetables. The government provided them with 60 kgs rice per family and some charities provided meals at the temple.
After the tsunami, the people of Akkarapettai had lived in relief camps and some had moved to the temporary shelters provided by the government. Those who lost their homes return to the village in the morning and spend the entire day inside their damaged homes or with relatives.
They cook, clean and talk. Or move between their night shelters and damaged homes with tin boxes and plastic pots.
"We are sacred of sleeping here in the night, we feel the waves may come again," says Indumati, 18, pointing to a local newspaper speculating about another tsunami.
OTHER DISPATCHES FROM TAMIL NADU: Nagapattinam copes with the aftermath