Here is an article from Chennai Online
Chennai, Dec 26: At least 1,100 persons were killed and several thousand others reported missing in Tamil Nadu as huge tidal waves, triggered by a powerful quake in Indonesia, hit the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu this morning.While Chennai city accounted for nearly 125 deaths, the coastal Nagapattinam district reported at least 400 deaths, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari districts 180 and 150 deaths respectively, police said adding the figure was likely to go up further.
At least 102 persons were killed in the Union territory of Pondicherry. Police said more bodies were likely to be washed ashore.
In Kancheepuram district, 40 persons died when a church in Pudupattinam collapsed, reportedly due to the impact of the quake.
In Kalpakkam, 25 persons, 15 of them women, were reported dead. Most of the casualties took place as seawater washed away those sleeping near the coast, particularly fishermen. At least 400 fishermen were reported missing in Chennai.
Nearly 60 deaths were reported in Pondicherry and Karaikal areas which come under the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
Lakhs of people living in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu had a shock this morning, when there were tremors caused by an earthquake, measuring 8.5 on the Richter, closely followed by massive tidal waves.
Seawater entered several thousand homes in Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Tiruvanmiyur, Royapuram and Triplicane areas in Chennai. Panic-stricken people rushed out of their houses as water surged in. Many were washed away. In Royapettah Government Hospital alone, there were 60 bodies, police said.
The Chennai Corporation has made arrangements for those rendered homeless. Over two lakh food packets had been distributed and shelter provided in Corporation schools, sources said.
The Atomic Power Plant at Kalpakkam, near Chennai, was also affected as seawater entered the complex.
The state government has urged the people not to panic.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deputed two Union ministers to visit the affected areas and help the affected.
Earlier in the morning, tremors were felt in several areas of Chennai, including Santhome, Triplicane, Adyar, T Nagar, Kodambakkam and Virugambakkam. (RR)