While the last year's cyclone, described as the century's worst to hit Gujarat coast, had swept salt pan workers off their feet leaving at least 2,000 dead, this year's cyclone has caught fishermen at sea offgaurd. People fear the toll is likely to be much higher than 305 as per the last body count.

Sadly, in the both the cases, the authorities failed to protect the lives of people and property even after getting the warning 48 hours before the cyclone actually hit the coastal regions.

Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel stated the casualty could have been even higher had the authorities not shifted over 50,000 people from the seaside. He admitted that there was no system to warn fishermen who venture out in the sea in their small countrycraftfor 7 to 10 days at a stretch till they get a good catch. They do not have radios or wireless sets to be warned after they leave the shore.

According to the state control room, this year's cyclonic storm which hit the Gujarat coast with a velocity of 150 to 200 kmph has caused the maximum damage to the fishing ports of Okha and Jakhau, roads and buildings, power sub-stations and transmission lines, besides human lives and livestock.

A 2.6 mtpa greenfield cement plant being erected by Sanghi Cement Ltd and Panandhro lignite mines of Gujarat Mineral Development Board in Kutch are the only major industrial and mining activity in the peninsula.

Although nearing completion, no major damage has been caused to the cement plant, according to company sources here. The GMDC lignite mines were also inundated as the roads leading to the mines had also developed breaches but have been restored by now.

Since fishing and cattle rearing are the mainstay of the scarcely populated talukas of Nalia, Abdasa and Lakhpatin this westernmost district of the country, the casualty has been the highest among the fishermen and nomadic shepherds or `maldharis' as they are called.

Over 120 bodies and 20,000 carcasses were washed ashore during the last 36 hours of spring tide alone, coninciding with full moon, almost a fortnight after the cyclone. These bodies were in highly decomposed state and in many cases could not be identified. Officials suspect many of the bodies might have come floating from the Pakistan side across the Kori Creek in Rann of Kutch. Similarly, many bodies recovered along the Pakistan coast could be from the Indian side.