The death toll has crossed 8,500 and thousands are still missing. Many may never be found. In states like Tamil Nadu, among the worst affected with more than 4,500 people dead, schools, marriage halls and places of worship display on their walls pictures of the dead and missing.

Aid workers have warned of a looming health crisis even as India struggles to cope with a disaster it had not encountered before.

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Also read: Tsunamis devastate south India