Beach profiles were carried out in Dec.2003, 2004 and Jan,.2005. Annual profiles of Dec. 2003 and 2004 show a normal trend of beach dynamics. At Poompuhar 63 M sup(3) M sup(1) of sediments are found to be deposited. However, a total change in the beach equilibrium of the different stations is manifested only after tsunami. Beach profile studies reveal that only the beaches of Nagoor and Chinnankudi show an accretionary trend in the post-tsunami, in the order of 92 M sup(3) M sup(1) in the former and 91 M sup(3) M sup(1) in the latter. This depositional trend can be earmarked to the presence of riverlet and the wider shelf topography, which must have cushioned the effects of tsunami waves. Poompuhar has recorded the highest erosion by 454 M sup(3) M sup(1) and this is as a result of narrow shelf topography. The present study highlights that shelf topography and river lets have acted as the controlling factors for the changes brought in by tsunami waves in the beach morphology.