Pamban Railway Bridge Washed Away By Cyclone, 1964 Photo

Pamban Bridge During Good Times 1920
This is a rare 1964 news photo of the Pamban railway bridge that got washed away by a cyclone. A clear view of the Pamban Railway Bridge in the aftermath of the terrible cyclone tragedy of 1964. The rail bridge connects the mainland to Rameshwaram-Pamban Island. Dhanushkodi is situated southeast of the island very close to Sri Lanka.
It was a small busy town, with a railway station, hospital, post office, schools, customs, and port offices. It also had a ferry service between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka). There was even a train service from Chennai to the town known as the Boat Mail. Unfortunately, on the night of 22 December 1964, India’s biggest railway tragedy took place.
Winds with a velocity of 280 km per hour and tidal waves of 23 ft in height hit Dhanushkodi. Causing an estimated 1800 people to die in the storm. Which included 115 people who travelled by the Pamban-Dhanushkodi passenger train on that night. Click on the image for better view.
Read more The Mythical Ghost Town.
Did you know – in 1948-49 there was a tectonic plate movement in which Dhanushkodi township sank by almost 5 meters. Leading to a 7.5 km stretch from north to south getting submerged. It sank residential areas, roads, buildings, places of worship, etc.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s Balamani – Old Postcard 1902., British Cavalry Parade In Bangalore – Old Postcard 1918., The Residency Lucknow British India – Old Print 1850., European Girl In British India Era, Photo 1890.