Sunday, December 26 2004 16:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: At least 1100 people, including over 100 in neighbouring Pondicherry, have lost their lives and almost an equal number of people were missing as tidal waves swept through coastal areas of Tamil Nadu in the aftermath of tremors that shook the State early this morning (Dec 26, 2004), according to police sources in Chennai.

While Chennai city accounted for nearly 125 deaths, the coastal Nagapattinam district reported at least 400 deaths.

Cuddalore and Kanniyakumari districts accounted for 180 and 150 deaths respectively, police said adding that the figure was likely to go up further.

At least 102 people were killed in the Union territory of Pondicherry.

Police said that more bodies were likely to be washed ashore as many were still floating in the sea.

The Chennai civic authorities had distributed nearly two lakh food packets to the affected people, who have been accommodated in several corporation schools.