Coastal Delta districts observe 20th anniversary of 2004 tsunami

20th anniversary of 2004 tsunami commemorated in Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal with solemn tributes and interfaith prayers.

The 20th anniversary of the devastating 2004 tsunami was observed across Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal on December 26, with solemn tributes paid at memorials to honour the lives lost and the resilience of the survivors.

In Nagapattinam, the worst-affected district in Tamil Nadu, where 6,065 lives were lost, District Collector P. Akash, led the commemorative events at the Tsunami Memorial Park within the District Collectorate premises. Tamil Nadu Tadco Chairman U. Mathivanan, Nagapattinam MLA J. Mohammed Shah Nawaz, Kilvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Mali, and Superintendent of Police A.K. Arun Kabilan, joined the solemn ceremony, which included wreath-laying, a moment of silence, and candle lighting.

At Velankanni, over 500 people, including fishermen, traders, and the public, joined a 3-kilometre procession from the beach to the mass burial site where over 1,000 victims were laid to rest. Led by Velankanni Basilica Rector Fr. R. Irudayaraj, participants dressed in black armbands offered floral tributes and conducted interfaith prayers with readings from the Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible. Families of the deceased paid homage by offering their loved ones’ favourite food and drinks at the memorial.

In the district’s 25 coastal fishing villages, fishermen abstained from fishing and gathered at local memorials to honour the victims through processions and wreath-laying ceremonies.

In Mayiladuthurai, the tsunami’s impact was felt deeply in Tharangambadi taluk, where over 100 families lost their livelihoods. A commemoration was held at the Tsunami Memorial in Porayar, where District Collector A.P. Mahabharathi, laid a floral wreath. Officials including Sirkazhi Revenue Divisional Officer Suresh, Tharangambadi Town Panchayat Chairperson Suguna Sankari, Vice Chairperson Pon Rajendran, Tahsildar Mahesh, and Executive Officer Kamalakkannan attended the ceremony.

Karaikal, which lost over 500 lives and saw significant damage to fishing equipment and livelihoods, held commemorative events at the Tsunami Memorial on Karaikal beach. Minister P. R. N. Thirumurugan, District Collector D. Manikandan, and community leaders laid floral tributes, accompanied by interfaith prayers. Similar observances were held at memorials in Poovam Nandalaru, Thirupattinam Pattinacheri, and Polagam, where MLAs and fishermen’s panchayats joined the tributes.