Search operations continued in the tsunami-battered Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday to trace 154 missing fishermen and relief measures were on in full swing in nine coastal districts where 96 people were killed.
Navy and Coast Guard helicopters scoured the coastline searching for missing fishermen while the Visakapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command pressed into service INS Dega for search and relief operations, official sources said.
"There is no further increase in the death toll. We are now focussing on relief and rehabilitation measures," an official of the state revenue department said.
Krishna district bore the brunt of the massive tidal waves, triggered by an undersea earthquake in Indonesia, which left a trail of death and destruction. It accounted for 35 deaths followed by Prakasam district (27), Nellore (12), Guntur (10), West Godavari (eight) and East Godavari (four).
Over 35,000 families, evacuated from vulnerable low-lying areas in coastal districts, were still camping in relief centres. Each of the affected family was being provided 25kg of rice, officials said.
The government has already announced Rs 100,000 ex-gratia to each bereaved family.
