A central team began a visit to tsunami-ravaged coastal areas of Edavanakkad and Puthu Vype, near Kochi in Kerala [Images], on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the tidal waves.

The team, led by V J Menon, deputy secretary in the ministry of rural development, reached Kochi on Tuesday night.

Several houses in Edavanakkad and Puthu Vype were destroyed and five persons killed in Ernakulam district when tsunamis hit the Kerala coast on December 26.

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Other members of the team are Superintending Engineer Ekambaran (ministry of surface transport), Deputy Director General V K Manchander (ministry of health and family welfare) and Assistant Director V Sreekanth (ministry of environment).