The Kerala government has requested for an aid of Rs 757 crore from the centre for relief and rehabilitation in the tsunami-affected areas in the state. So far, 162 bodies have been recovered from the areas affected by the waves. The highest number of deaths was in Kollam [128], followed by Alappuzha [29], Ernakulam [4] and Kannur [1].

To provide relief to fishermen in the affected coastal areas, the proceedings to recover loans from them has been suspended for six months, Kerala chief minister Omman Chandy said in a statement. Steps are also being taken to provide them with fresh low-interest loans.

According to Chandy, about 1.5-lakh people are staying in the 212 relief camps set up for those affected by the tsunamis.

The CM said the state cabinet has also decided to set up a disaster management mechanism to be forewarned about natural calamities. An expert committee will be set up to work out the modalities for the mechanism, he said. The committee will also look into the construction of disaster shelters, he added.