The death toll in the devastation caused by the tsunamis that lashed many Asian and a few Africa countries has risen to 70,000, with India accounting for over 10,000 dead.

Over 6,500 deaths were reported in Tamil Nadu, while the toll in the Union Territory of Pondicherry was 500. 

The administration in TN is resorting to mass burials and cremations to prevent putrefied bodies from spreading diseases.

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In the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the other worst-affected region in the country, 10,000 people have been reported missing.

The toll in the other six affected Asian countries mounted to 60,000, with Indonesia accounting for more than 36,000 deaths, while 22,000 died in Sri Lanka.

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Meanwhile, the Centre and local governments lunched the biggest relief and rehabilitation efforts since Independence on Wednesday to provide succour to the affected.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the tsunami destruction as a 'national calamity', before leaving for a two-day tour of the affected areas in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

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As of now, he said, there was no need for imposing a cess to mobilise resources for the relief and rehabilitation process.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, briefing reporters after a meeting of a group of ministers chaired by Singh, said a massive operation has been launched to prevent epidemic in affected areas.

The number of people affected by Tsunami was put at a staggering 8.77 lakh and damages to property was estimated to be worth thousands of crores of rupees, he said.

Mukherjee said the relief operation involved deployment of 25 aircraft, 30 helicopters and as many warships and over 400 troops, besides the resources and personnel of the civil administration.