Wednesday, March 30 2005 15:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madurai (TN): The sea off some pockets of Tuticorin District, including Tiruchendur, in south Tamil Nadu receded by more than sixty metres for the second day today (Mar 30, 2005) following the Indonesian earthquake, but officials said there was no need for any panic.

A report from Ramanathapuram said that the land to an extent of about 20 square kilometres was found 'exposed' around 21 Islands in the Gulf of Mannar yesterday (Mar 29, 2005).

Wildlife Warden of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Naganathan said normally during low tide the sea might recede by 4-5 metres, but yesterday even the coral reefs and marine life were visible in some areas in the region.

The receding of sea would continue for two more days and people need not get panicky about it, Ramanujan, Head of the Geology Department of a college in Tuticorin said.

However, there were no reports about receding of the sea off Ramanathapuram district. Fishermen also did not feel any change in the behaviour of sea while fishing. "We felt normal at sea," Jose, a fisherman, said.