Scars of sea’s worst attack still pain Nagai

Floral tributes, silent rallies, propitiation of sea with milk and lighting of candles on Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of tsunami in the district that bore the maximum brunt of the disaster in the State and led to a huge loss of lives.

Over 8,000 people were killed in Tamil Nadu of which Nagapattinam district suffered the maximum loss of 6,065 lives and many more went missing on the fateful day in 2004.

People from all walks of life, students and fishermen in scores of coastal hamlets-from Nagore to Pazhayar-including Akkaraipettai, Keechankuppam, Seruthur, Tranquebar, Nagore, Velankanni and Poompuhar, that were nearly wiped out by the tsunami, thronged the seashore in their respective villages and paid tearful homage by offering milk and flowers at the sea in remembrance of the victims. The fishermen of coastal villages in the district stayed awayfrom fishing as a mark of respect to the victims.

Special prayers were organised in temples, churches and mosques in the district. The relatives of victims lit candles and offered floral tributes at the cemeteries of their loved ones. A large number of people, including volunteers of various political parties, traders and students took out a rally and paid homage to the victims at the Tsunami memorial pillar near the District Collector’s office.

Tributes were also paid to the victims by the public at Vedaranyam, Kodiakkarai, Vellapallam and Pushpavanam habitats. Families of victims, fishermen and othersections of the public held silent processions, candlelight vigil and floral tributes in thecoastal villages.