In response to the demand from the fishing community for immediate repair of their boats damaged by the tsunami waves, the army has decided to deploy more teams to get the boats back into working conditions.

"Three engineering teams are to be deployed for the repair of outboard motors and boats," the army said in a press note released by the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) in Chennai on Saturday.

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The fishermen had made the demand during a meeting between army officials and trawler owners.
Army columns are actively engaged in relief operations in the tsunami-hit Cuddalore area of Tamil Nadu.

Besides regulating relief aid from voluntary organisations, an army column stationed at MGR Thittu Island is also assisting locals in retrieving boats washed ashore, the release said.

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Another column, which is engaged in relief works in tsunami-hit Nagapattinam area, carried out repairs to outboard motors of boats belonging to fishermen in Akkaraipatti.

The column also distributed rations in many areas, the release said.