In Tamilnadu, hundreds of people in Tsunami affected areas of Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur and Chennai paid respects to their dear ones who were killed by the giant waves of a tsunami on this day in 2004.

The District administration made arrangements for the public to remember their loved ones at the tsunami memorial. Memorial services and pujas were performed today on the shores of the tsunami affected districts.

Our correspondent reports that it was the first time on December 26, 2004 that the tsunami had hit India. To everyone's surprise and horror the beautiful sea raged like a huge wall and struck the land and mercilessly engulfed helpless people on the shores.

People of all ages and from all walks of life resigned to their fate as they were killed before they could think to react For fishermen and those living by the sea, the dreadful tsunami had created an image which can never be erased from their minds.

Thousands were killed in Nagapttinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chennai on the day of the Tsunami. In Nagapattinam alone 6500 people lost their lives. Though eight years have passed the scars of Tsunami still remains afresh.

Today the district administration of these areas made arrangements for the public to pay reverence to their loved ones in memorials erected for the tsunami victims.Fishermen did not venture into the sea as a mark of respect to remember their loved ones.