Indian Ocean Tsunami Strikes Indian Railways' Southern Line

On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami hit the southeastern coast of India with devastating force. Several segments of Indian Railways’ coastal lines in Tamil Nadu were flooded or washed out, particularly the section near Nagapattinam and Vellankanni. One of the most widely reported railway incidents involved the Chennai–Nagore ‘Beach–Nagore Passenger’ train, which was halted near Sirkazhi as rising waters surrounded the coaches. Despite the extreme conditions, the train remained upright and eventually allowed for the safe evacuation of passengers once waters receded, averting what could have been a major rail disaster. Infrastructure damage across the state was extensive, with numerous bridges and track segments requiring emergency repair. The event prompted a comprehensive reevaluation of disaster‑response protocols for rail operations in coastal regions. Indian Railways later implemented new early‑warning and communication systems designed to prevent similar risks in future natural catastrophes.