More than 60 per cent of at least two inhabited islands in the Andaman and Nicobar region has submerged following the tsunami assault and the Nicobar Island will need to be virtually rebuilt from scratch, the Centre said on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs' status report said, "The tsunami has caused extensive damage in Nicobar Islands, which will require more or less rebuilt or reconstruction."

The chief of the Integrated Defence Services, Vice Admiral Raman Puri, said Pilmillow Island in the South Nicobar had more or less submerged under water and any survivors located at the island had been shifted to safer places at Campbell Bay. The number of dead in this island was put at 230.

He said another island, Chowra, had submerged 65 per cent. Thirty-nine deaths were reported from this area while 36 people were missing.

The 100-feet lighthouse at 'Indira Point', the southernmost tip of the country, continued to be under water and it was confirmed that the entire staff of the lighthouse was completely washed off in the disaster.