Tsunami

Twenty Years Later: Reflecting on the Devastating Tsunami of 2004

On December 26, 2004, the world experienced one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in history. As I stood aboard a ferry bound for Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, I could never have imagined how close I was to disaster.

A Routine Journey Turns into a Nightmare

The morning started like any other. I was traveling to Havelock, a beautiful island known for its pristine silver sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, which had recently been named “Asia’s Best Beach” by Time magazine. My best friend, who had been living in Port Blair for years, had invited me for a visit over the Christmas holiday.

After a leisurely breakfast, we boarded the ferry at Phoenix Bay jetty in Port Blair, eager for our three-day adventure. I chose to stand at the front of the deck, soaking in the sights as the boat pulled away from the harbor.

But suddenly, the boat lurched violently. I turned to see the nearby jetty, where I had just boarded, collapsing into the sea. It was followed by the fall of a nearby watchtower and electricity poles. The scene was surreal, as people around me stood frozen in shock.

Thankfully, the jetty was empty, so there were no casualties. But as I stood there, trying to comprehend what had just happened, a crew member told me that an earthquake had caused the massive upheaval.

The Earthquake and Tsunami: A Devastating Force

At 6:30 AM (01:00 GMT), the 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, under the Indian Ocean. This earthquake unleashed a powerful tsunami, affecting over a dozen countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the Maldives. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located just 100 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter, bore the brunt of the devastation.

The tsunami wall, reaching as high as 15 meters (49 feet) in some areas, made landfall just 15 minutes after the quake. The official death toll for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was recorded at 1,310, but it’s widely believed that more than 7,000 lives were lost, with over 5,600 people still missing.

An Island in Crisis

As we were still on the ferry, we had no idea about the extent of the devastation around us. Without mobile signal, we were left in the dark about the fate of the islands. We heard fragments of news from the crew about the destruction in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the southern Indian town of Nagapattinam, but there was no word yet about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The tsunami had damaged 94% of the region’s jetties, preventing any ferry travel. Sadly, we were unable to reach Havelock Island as its jetty was submerged. So, the boat turned back to Port Blair, where the damage was immediately apparent.

Devastation in Port Blair

When we arrived at Chatham harbor in Port Blair, the destruction was evident. Buildings had collapsed, roads were torn apart, and small boats had been hurled into the streets. Thousands were displaced as the tidal waves had swept through low-lying residential areas.

I met a young girl who shared her traumatic experience of almost drowning when the waters flooded her home. Another woman recounted how she had lost everything—her belongings, her memories, her life as she knew it—all in an instant.

The Aftermath of the Tsunami

In the days following the tsunami, I reported extensively on the relief and recovery efforts. It was the first time the islands had experienced such widespread devastation, and the scale of the disaster was overwhelming. Saltwater had contaminated fresh water sources, and fertile land had been destroyed. The situation was dire, and delivering relief supplies was a logistical challenge due to the damaged jetties.

The Indian government launched a large-scale relief effort, deploying the army, navy, and air force to assist. It took several days before rescue operations reached all of the islands, and many survivors were brought to Port Blair, where temporary shelters were set up in schools and government buildings.

Survivors Share Their Stories of Hope and Loss

One woman I spoke to shared the harrowing tale of escaping with her 20-day-old baby after the earthquake triggered violent waves. She called her survival a “miracle.” Many survivors spoke of waiting for rescue without food or water for days, their villages wiped out, and their loved ones lost to the sea.

In Car Nicobar, an area that had been completely flattened by the tsunami, I witnessed first-hand the devastation. Entire villages had been destroyed, and among the survivors were families who had lost everything—homes, possessions, and loved ones.

Looking Back: A Close Call

As I reflect on that fateful day, I often wonder what might have happened if the tremors had struck just minutes earlier. What if the waves had hit while I was waiting on the jetty to board the ferry?

On Boxing Day, 2004, I was fortunate to survive, but thousands of others were not so lucky. The memory of that day remains etched in my mind, a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of those who faced its fury.

Source: BBC

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