Geography Nagapattinam

permanent shelter tsunami-affected families in nagapattinam

nagapattinam lies @ 10°46′n 79°50′e / 10.77°n 79.83°e / 10.77; 79.83. town bounded bay of bengal in east, uppanar river in south, thiruvarur district in west, thanjavaur district in north west , karaikkal & puducherry in north. town lies in sea level. municipality covers area of 14.92 km (5.76 sq mi) nagapattinam situated @ distance of 350 km (220 mi) chennai, 14 km (8.7 mi) karaikal, 40 km (25 mi) mayiladuthurai, 40 km (25 mi) kumbakonam, 80 km (50 mi) thanjavur , 25 km (16 mi) thiruvarur. town receives annual rainfall of 350 mm (14 in). nagapattinam has tropical climate during summer months of march may. proximity sea results in high humidity throughout year, reaches 70% during august may. town has plain terrain of alluvial soil consisting of sand, silt , clay. vettar, tributaries of river cauvery major water bodies. paddy major crop in region, followed groundnut, pulses, sugarcane, cotton , sesame. town 1 of cyclone-prone zones , devastated during 2004 tsunami. fine layer of high saline soil deposited in paddy fields.

2004 tsunami

the 2004 indian ocean earthquake undersea megathrust earthquake on 26 december 2004, epicentre off west coast of sumatra, indonesia, triggered series of devastating tsunamis along coasts of landmasses bordering indian ocean. nagapattinam district affected part in tamil nadu, accounting 6,064 off 8,009 casualties in state. large number of casualties fishing community, resided close seashore akkaraipattai, keenchankupam . property losses impacted fishing industry, of boats damaged inundation. immediate aftermath created lull in tourism.