Behind a badly destroyed church are 310 temporary homes. In between the rows of homes lies an open ground covered with layers of bleaching powder where 140 bodies are buried. Long pipes rise above the basic burial ground to expel foul air.
People moved into the shelters close by after the district collector allotted it to them. Residents here cook in a common kitchen -- one community kitchen for 30 houses -- and fetch water from tanks sponsored by UNICEF.
They say the toilets provided are not enough and since there is no water, many go to a nearby lake for a bath and use the shore as a toilet.
The 60 kgs of rice -- rice is the staple in Tamilian meals -- that the government gave the victims immediately after the tragedy is over for many families. "We consume 3 kgs of rice every day," says Perinathammal eating her lunch of rasam and rice.
Since the market is at a distance, they walk or take the bus to buy vegetables or groceries and often get what they need on credit from shopkeepers. "We hardly have any money so we have to borrow," says Silva Pillai.
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