Fri Dec 19 12:27:06 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article based on that information:

Summary:

More than 20 years after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, residents of tsunami rehabilitation houses in Nagapattinam district, India, are facing a difficult situation. Many of the houses built for them are now damaged, with a significant number categorized as severely unsafe. The government is offering financial assistance for demolition and reconstruction, but residents claim the funds are inadequate, the process is rushed (especially during the monsoon season), and they face challenges accessing loans because the land is registered in the District Collector’s name. This leaves them struggling with rebuilding, burdened by financial insecurity, and facing potential denial of assistance if they don’t comply. There are also accusations that damage assessments are inaccurate, and the restrictions on built-up area with new houses being built.

News Article:

Tsunami Survivors in Nagapattinam Face New Crisis: Damaged Homes, Inadequate Aid

NAGAPATTINAM, India – December 19, 2025 – Over two decades after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the survivors in Nagapattinam district’s fishing villages are facing a renewed hardship: the very homes built to rehabilitate them are now crumbling, forcing them into a desperate situation.

Thousands of tsunami rehabilitation houses are reportedly damaged, with official records indicating that at least 3,000 are severely unsafe. The government is offering assistance for demolition and reconstruction, but residents are claiming the aid is insufficient and the timeline unrealistic.

“They asked me to demolish it even though this is the rainy and flood season,” said Jaya V., a fisherwoman from Pushpavanam, who received ₹54,000 out of an promised ₹2.7 lakh. She says the received funds are barely enough to begin construction.

The situation is compounded by the fact that the land on which these houses are built is registered in the name of the District Collector, preventing residents from using their property as collateral for bank loans. This forces many to turn to private lenders with exorbitant interest rates.

Vadivazhagi K., another resident, said she was being pressured to demolish her house immediately despite a lack of funds to start construction. Similar concerns are echoed by residents of other villages, including Vellapallam, Vanavan Mahadevi, Kameswaram and Seruthur. Some allege that damage assessments are inaccurate, leading to insufficient aid allocation.

Under current norms, families with partially damaged houses are eligible for up to ₹1 lakh, while those with fully damaged houses can receive up to ₹2.7 lakh for reconstruction under government schemes. However, assistance comes with restriction on the built-up area, unlike previous constructions.

While officials from the Fisheries and Rural Development departments insist they are not forcing residents but are working within a fixed timeline, a senior district administration official stated they would investigate the grievances.

The plight of these tsunami survivors highlights the long-term challenges of disaster recovery and the need for more comprehensive and sustainable support systems.

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