Wednesday, December 29 2004 17:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Tsunamis that lashed the Eastern and Southern coastal areas of the country on Sunday (Dec 26, 2004) have so far left about 7,000 dead in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The toll is expected to rise.

In Nagapattinam, the worst affected district, 4,900 bodies - 2,400 in Nagapattinam town, 1,500 in Velankanni and 1,000 in other places - have been buried so far, Thanjavur Red Cross District Secretary Raj Manohar said. In Cuddalore, 500 deaths were reported, while at Kalpakkam the toll was put at 100. In Pondicherry, 500, including 400 at Karaikal, were said to be dead. Kanyakumari accounted for 800 deaths, while in Chennai the Tsunamis claimed 200 lives.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu administration on Wednesday stepped up efforts to prevent outbreak of epidemic and speed up rehabilitation work. In Nagapattinam, the Red Cross and health department authorities have started inoculating people as a preventive measure.

Over 500 have been admitted to 3 Government hospitals in the district, a report said. Medical teams are working round-the-clock to provide relief in the affected areas. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force personnel are also lending a helping hand.

Reports from Kanyakumari, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam said volunteers belonging to various organisations, including the Red Cross and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, were helping the administration in relief and rescue work.