Kendrapara, Oct. 28: The cataclysmic aftermath of nature's fury is deeply etched in the memories of the 1999 super cyclone survivors as they prepare to observe the 16th death anniversary of their near and dear ones.

Chandan Manna, 44, of Kansara-Badadandua village is visibly distraught recounting the moments of the killer cyclone. Manna lost his sister and brother-in-law and two nephews who were swept away by 10ft tall tidal waves.

"We would observe their death anniversary on Thursday. We are unable to wipe out those nightmarish hours even after 16 years. I was deeply attached towards the family. It is difficult to erase their fond memories," said Chandan.

Like Chandan, many of the survivors find it difficult to forget the way their near and dear ones were snatched away by a furious nature.

For Amar Maharana, 65, who is a trolley rickshaw puller from Badahaat in Kendrapara township, the trauma of losing his wife and four children is still intact.

"I was witness to the tragedy that unfolded right before my eyes. For a better income, I had migrated to the nearby Paradip port. I was staying in Sandhakuda slum colony on the outskirts of the port township. The early morning hours of October 30 changed my life for the worse forever. A massive wave came crashing towards the colony. It must be above 20ft tall. Everything was over in a few minutes. My wife, two sons and two daughters met their watery graves. Their bodies could not be retrieved. I survived along with one of my son as we luckily clutched onto an electric pole," said Amar, with tears streaming from his eyes.

Kendrapara district was one of the worst ravaged areas during the October 1999 super cyclone, and had accounted for 546 casualties. As many as 1,308 villages scattered across nine blocks besides two urban local bodies bore the brunt of nature's fury.

Though the reconstruction and restoration work undertaken by both the government and private agencies restored order in the ravaged human settlements, the human toll due to the cyclone is still shrouded in controversy. The toll was on a higher side. But many of those killed could not be officially counted dead as their family members had failed to submit their death certificates.

The continuous chain of cyclones has taught the residents of Kendrapara district to be more alert. They have also developed a mindset to meet with exigencies.

"The 1999 cyclone has taught me the greatest lesson of my life. One should never ignore weather warnings. Whenever there is a forecast of depression and stormy weather, seagoing fishermen stay away from their voyage. People here have made it a moot point to relocate to doubly storey pucca buildings and shelter houses if a cyclone hits the area," said Pabitra Mallik, a local resident.

"Having paid the price for ignoring the 1999 cyclone warning, people from vulnerable pockets have grown strikingly vigilant. Alertness and preparedness to face the calamity have evolved from the grassroot level," said Pravash Kumar Beuria, the Kendrapara tehsildar.