Sunday, December 26 2004 14:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: At least 150 people were killed and over 100 were missing when huge tidal waves triggered by a powerful quake in Indonesia hit coastal areas of Tamil Naidu this morning (Dec 26, 2004).

The dead included 100 in Chennai alone, police said. Most of the casualties in Chennai were in northern parts like Tiruvottiyur, Ennore and Royapuram areas. The impact was felt even in southern parts of the city like Besant Nagar, police said.

Forty-two people were killed in coastal district of Cuddalore, five in Nagapattinam and one in Kancheepuram, police said adding several were missing.

Relief and rescue operations were in full swing as the city slowly returned to normal with panic triggered by tremors and subsequent tidal waves subsiding.

The tidal waves swept away most of the dwellings near the sea. Water even entered the roads in Chennai throwing vehicles aside.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and expressed grief and shock over the calamity.

The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that the entire administration besides Army, Navy and Coast Guard had been pressed into service to arrange relief and rescue operations.

The Prime Minister told her that Army and Coast Guard had been alerted to provide full support.

Jayalalithaa told Singh that the loss of lives was high and the actual number of deaths was being ascertained.

Relief camps had been organised and food packets were being distributed to all those rendered homeless. Ministers had been sent to all the affected areas.