Several families in Hiramandalam, Bhamini and Kotturu areas are trying to cope with the shocking news of the death of their dear ones in the multi-storey building collapse in Chennai on Saturday.
The 11-storey building under construction came tumbling down and 12 persons from Srikakulam are among the 15 feared dead. The toll is likely to rise as many others are believed to be trapped under the debris.
The deceased were identified as Meesa Srinu (40), Meesala Bhavani (15), Kongarapu Srinu (40) Kongarapu Krishnaveni (30), P. Jyoti (25), Dasari Ramu (40), Dasari Kalavati (28) A. Ramesh (21), A. Rajesh (21) and Kimidi Subbarao (50).
Others include Tanni Appalanarasamma (40) and Dukka Towdu (50) of Modugulu Valasa of LN Peta mandal, according to their family members.
The district administration has set up a control room in the Collectorate (08942-225361, 9652838181) to provide information to the victims’ families. An official team led by Palakonda Revenue Divisional Officer Tej Bharat has been sent to Chennai to help the victims’ families. Srikakulam Joint Collector Veera Pandiyan spoke to Chennai officials and enquired about the condition of the remaining workers.
“As many as five deaths have been officially confirmed. We are taking the support of Nellore district administration to provide quick help to victims. Our team will also coordinate in sending the victims’ bodies to Srikakulam,” said Mr. Pandiyan. Minister for Labour and Employment K. Atchannaidu directed the district officials to provide maximum help and information to the victims’ families in Srikakulam.
Orphaned kidsThe building collapse has rendered many children orphan. Sandhya and Manikantha of Karlemma village in Kotturu mandal have lost their parents Dasari Ramu and Kalavati while Madhavi and Rama of Modugulu Valasa lost their mother Appalanarasamma.
“My daughter Appalanarasamma went to Chennai to earn money so that she could provide better education to her children. But her dreams are shattered with her death,” laments her father Dalayya. “My son-in-law Lakshminarayana has confirmed her death as she was in the cellar at the time of the accident,” he says.
