Chennai, 26 December (H.S.) : The twenty-first anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami was observed across the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu today with poignant ceremonies and tearful homages.

Thousands of survivors, family members, and local residents gathered at various memorial sites from Chennai to Kanyakumari to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on December 26, 2004. In Nagapattinam, which was the worst-affected district in the state, people from twenty-five fishing hamlets took out silent processions and performed traditional rituals.

Fishermen and their families offered milk and showered flower petals into the sea as a mark of respect to the departed souls. In Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, residents visited mass burial sites to light candles and offer prayers.

Many fishing communities chose to stay away from the sea for the day, keeping their boats anchored with black flags as a sign of mourning. Similar scenes were witnessed in Chennai, where people gathered at Marina Beach to pay floral tributes at the memorial stupas.

Official statements from the district administrations highlighted the continued resilience of the coastal communities. Authorities in Nagapattinam stated that the day serves as a solemn reminder of the catastrophe that claimed over six thousand lives in their district alone. Local leaders joined the public in laying wreaths at memorial pillars, emphasizing that the scars of the disaster remain deep within the community.

The 2004 tragedy, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, had claimed nearly eight thousand lives across Tamil Nadu, destroying livelihoods and infrastructure in its wake. The annual observance remains a significant day for the state to reflect on disaster preparedness and honor the strength of the survivors.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary