Aid workers fear health crisis in Indian villages

With the death toll passing 8,500, many bodies still lay buried under huge mounds of debris, in ponds or fields along the devastated coastline of southern India.

Rescue workers were painstakingly removing corpses as the stench of death filled the air.

"There are very serious health concerns, there is acute shortage of drinking water and medicines," said Captain John Raman of the Salvation Army.

"Human and animal bodies need to be cleared immediately. Chances of an epidemic are high."

Kashi Raman, medical officer at the P.H. Hospital in the Christian pilgrimage town of Vailakanni said, "The bodies should be buried as soon as possible, the administration does not seem to be geared for it".