Vellakanni caught in the vortex of tsunami waves

The tsunami waves unleashed the worst horror and terror in Vellankanni, the Christian pilgrimage and tourist town of Nagapattinam. Many parts of Vellankanni became the watery graves within minutes. This sea waves had mercilessly swept of many pilgrims. Since, 26^th of December 04 was the next of Christmas, nearly two thousand people from out side States of Kerala and Karnadaka were in the seashore church area. Many of the pilgrims were lost to the stirrings of the sea. The exact causalities are yet to be known.
Another seashore village Ariyanattu faced the adverse onslaught of the waves. Nearly two thousand families living very near to the seashore lost everything they owned. Their huts, bricks built concrete houses, small shops and fish trading centre were destroyed by the terrible tidal waves. In this village, many people were completely washed away two times by the ferocious waves. Many were thrown out; some hung in current pole, wires, iron bars and escaped with major and minor injuries. It is stated that in this village, nearly two thousand five hundred people must have drowned in to sea. Nearly four hundred and fifty dead bodies alone were found in the seashore. Colossal loss to life and property had happened.  
In Serugur village, nearly three hundred families living near to the seashore were totally washed out and many were drowned. Since, it was a holiday, mostly children and women were in the seas shore. Hence, they were killed in large numbers by the shocking wavers. At the time, around thousand people were in side and hence they escaped from the fury of the sea. Christians and missionaries helped them initially and are sheltered in government relief camps.