Giant waves, more than 12 feet high, hit the northern side of the famous
shore temple at Mamallapuram, 60 km from Chennai, on Tuesday evening,
leaving the heritage monument three feet deep in water. Sea water gushed
inland for about 75 metres, leaving behind a pool of water. The temple
town was virtually empty with more than 3,000 shops downing shutters to
protest an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proposal to take over an
ancient Perumal temple in the town. While there were no casualties, the
waves triggered memories of the 2004 tsunami when the temple town was
badly hit. "Tuesday's waves were a reminder of the tsunami. We were
scared when we saw the tall waves. Fortunately, all shops were closed,"
said V Balan, a member of the Mamallapuram Traders' Association. The
high waves, ASI sources said, started on Monday evening and continued
all through Tuesday before resulting in a deluge in the evening. As a
result the ASI is contemplating banning entry of visitors on Wednesday
to the shore temple. However, oceanographic experts have been quick to
reassure that the big wave is not the result of a tsunami. "This is just
a local phenomenon and possibly a freak phenomenon caused by low
pressure," said Dr M A Aatmanand, director of National Institute of
Ocean Technology.
- RSOE EDIS
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