Tsunami Terror Once Again

The horrific images of the December 2004 Asian Tsunami are still so fresh in my mind – as if the tragedy occurred just few weeks back. Hundreds of families washed out, thousands injured and the ones who were spared had to start their lives from scratch.

One of the most badly effected nations in the 2004 tsunami was Indonesia; more than 130,000 people were killed and nearly double this figure escaped with injuries.

And now the same nightmare has been repeated for the people of Indonesia.

A tsunami was triggered by a 7.7 magnitude undersea earthquake that struck off Pangandaran (part of Indonesia’s Java island) on Monday afternoon, causing a 2m-high wave. As per the latest reports, at least 327 people were killed, with another 160 or more missing.

Independent Online Reports -

The area hit by yesterday’s disaster was spared by the devastating 2004 Asian tsunami, and many residents said they did not even feel the 7.7-magnitude undersea quake that unleashed the six-foot wall of water.

But some recognised the danger when they saw the sea recede and fled to higher ground, screaming “Tsunami! Tsunami!” A black wave shot to shore half an hour later, witnesses said, sending boats, cars and motorbikes crashing into resorts and fishing villages. The water reached 300 yards inland.

Yesterday’s quake struck at 3.24p. local time about 150 miles beneath the ocean floor, causing tall buildings to sway hundreds of miles away in the capital, Jakarta. The region has been rattled by a series of strong aftershocks.

After the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued warnings of a possible tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The tsunami struck Java about an hour later and its effects could be felt as far as Bali Island and near Australia’s Coco Islands.

Mean while at home, coastal districts along Tamil Nadu were on high alert on Tuesday and thousands of fishing vessels refrained from going out to sea. State Director General of Police D. Mukherjee said coastal police in all districts, including Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam that had faced the brunt of the December 2004 tsunami, were keeping a close watch on the situation.

People have been asked to keep away from the beaches. The sea was reported to be rough along the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli coast.

Coast Guard, navy and all disaster management mechanisms are on alert, authorities said. However no evacuations have been carried out in any of the coastal regions.