Sunday, December 26 2004 14:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: At least 350 people lost their lives and hundreds of others were reported missing as tidal waves swept through their huts and homes in several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu today (Dec 26, 2004) following the tremor that shook the State, police said.

The heaviest casualty has been reported from Cuddalore district where at least 190 people lost their lives, Gagandeep Singh, District Collector, said.

In Chennai city, at least 100 people, mostly fishermen living in coastal areas in northern Chennai, were killed. Forty-four bodies had been brought to various Government hospitals in the city.

At least 15 people lost their lives in Kalpakkam near Chengalpattu. The unit no 2 in the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam was shut down safely and cooled down, according to MAPS sources. 'There is no adverse effect on the reactors," they said.

Coastal Nagapattinam district reported at least 20 deaths, while Tiruvallur and Tuticorin one each.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Port Trust sources said that ropes, securing two ships, had snapped and the ships were tossing in the rough sea.

Airport sources said a flight to Port Blair was cancelled.