On 26 December 2004, Air Force Station Carnicobar was devastated by a severe earthquake which was followed by Tsunamis. On noticing the increasing waves, Squadron Leader Tammeneni Srinivasulu, immediately started warning others and advised them to move towards the runway, as it was comparatively higher. During this process of helping others, he himself went into chest deep turbulent waters, thereby risking his own life.

After extricating himself, he started moving towards the runway when he heard some cries for help. He personally went to several submerged areas to look for survivors to help them. Looking for survivors in an area strewn with debris, unstable buildings and coastline redefined by tsunami was a task, which required any individual to draw immensely from his internal resource of courage. He re-entered the waters and rescued some of the survivors, mostly ladies and children, who were hanging on trees and moved them to the safety of high ground. After ensuring safety of the people he had rescued, he began to look for others who might still be alive. In the process, he sustained several injuries including a deep cut on his foot. Undeterred by the injuries and the turbulent waters, Squadron Leader Srinivasulu continued his search and was able to recover three bodies on the first day, before they could be washed back to the sea.

Squadron Leader Tammeneni Srinivasulu displayed exemplary moral and physical courage in the service of mankind with total disregard to his personal safety in the face of sever adversity.