TSUNAMI IN INDIA AND TSUNAMI IN INDIA AND TSUNAMI WALLSTSUNAMI WALLS

Dr. A. K. AVASARALA MBBS, M.D.Dr. A. K. AVASARALA MBBS, M.D.PROFESSOR & HEADPROFESSOR & HEADDEPT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE DEPT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE & EPIDEMIOLOGY& EPIDEMIOLOGYPRATHIMA INSTITUTE OF PRATHIMA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL SCIENCES, KARIMNAGAR, A.P..KARIMNAGAR, A.P..INDIA : +91 505417INDIA : +91 505417avasarala@yahoo.comavasarala@yahoo.com

LEARNING OBJECTIVESLEARNING OBJECTIVES

1) TO KNOW THE DEVASTATING 1) TO KNOW THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF TSUNAMI IN INDIAEFFECTS OF TSUNAMI IN INDIA AND DISASTER MANAGEMENTAND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

2) WILL THE CONSTRUCTION OF 2) WILL THE CONSTRUCTION OF TSUNAMI WALLS COST- TSUNAMI WALLS COST- EFFECTIVE FOR SMALL ISLAND EFFECTIVE FOR SMALL ISLAND COUNTRIES?COUNTRIES?

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVESPERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

DISASTER PREPAREDNESSDISASTER PREPAREDNESS

a) SECURING PRE-DISASTER BASE LINE a) SECURING PRE-DISASTER BASE LINE DATA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLEDATA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE

b) STUDYING THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF b) STUDYING THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SIMILAR DISASTERSSIMILAR DISASTERS

c) ESTABLISHING SURVEILLANCE c) ESTABLISHING SURVEILLANCE CENTRES ENSUING THE COOPERATION CENTRES ENSUING THE COOPERATION OF LOCALS OF LOCALS

d) MAKING THE LOCALS AWARE OF d) MAKING THE LOCALS AWARE OF THE IMPENDING DISASTERS AND THEIR THE IMPENDING DISASTERS AND THEIR MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

HISTORY OF INDIAN TSUNAMISHISTORY OF INDIAN TSUNAMIS

THE OLDEST RECORD OF TSUNAMI IS THE OLDEST RECORD OF TSUNAMI IS AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER 326 BC AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER 326 BC EARTHQUAKE NEAR THE INDUS EARTHQUAKE NEAR THE INDUS DELTA/KUTCH REGION. DELTA/KUTCH REGION.

THE EARLIEST RECORD OF TSUNAMI THE EARLIEST RECORD OF TSUNAMI IS REPORTED TO BE ABOUT 1.5 IS REPORTED TO BE ABOUT 1.5 METERS AT CHENNAI (FORMERLY METERS AT CHENNAI (FORMERLY MADRAS) WHICH WAS CREATED DUE MADRAS) WHICH WAS CREATED DUE TO THE AUGUST 8, 1883 KRAKATOA TO THE AUGUST 8, 1883 KRAKATOA VOLCANIC EXPLOSION IN INDONESIA.VOLCANIC EXPLOSION IN INDONESIA.

HISTORY OF INDIAN TSUNAMISHISTORY OF INDIAN TSUNAMIS AN EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 8.25 AN EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 8.25

OCCURRED ABOUT 70 KILOMETERS OCCURRED ABOUT 70 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF KARACHI (PAKISTAN) AT SOUTH OF KARACHI (PAKISTAN) AT 24.5 N AND 63.0 E ON NOVEMBER 27, 24.5 N AND 63.0 E ON NOVEMBER 27, 1945.1945.

THIS CREATED A LARGE TSUNAMI OF THIS CREATED A LARGE TSUNAMI OF ABOUT 11.0 TO 11.5 METERS HIGH ON ABOUT 11.0 TO 11.5 METERS HIGH ON THE COASTS OF INDIA IN THE KUTCHCH THE COASTS OF INDIA IN THE KUTCHCH REGION, AS REPORTED BY PENDSE REGION, AS REPORTED BY PENDSE (1945).(1945).

T. S. Murty, Baird and Associates Coastal Engineers T. S. Murty, Baird and Associates Coastal Engineers Ottawa, Canada A. Bapat Sadashiv Peth, Puna, IndiaOttawa, Canada A. Bapat Sadashiv Peth, Puna, India

TSUNAMIGENIC COASTAL LINESTSUNAMIGENIC COASTAL LINES THE APPROXIMATE LENGTH OF THE INDIAN THE APPROXIMATE LENGTH OF THE INDIAN

COAST IS ABOUT 6000 KILOMETERS. THE COAST IS ABOUT 6000 KILOMETERS. THE COASTS RUN FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AND COASTS RUN FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AND HAVE TWO ARMS IN THE EAST AND WEST HAVE TWO ARMS IN THE EAST AND WEST WITH A TAPERING END AT KANYAKUMARI.WITH A TAPERING END AT KANYAKUMARI.

THE TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OCCUR THE TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OCCUR MOSTLY AT THE FOLLOWING THREE MOSTLY AT THE FOLLOWING THREE LOCATIONS; LOCATIONS;

(1) THE ANDAMAN SEA,(1) THE ANDAMAN SEA, (2) AREA ABOUT 400-500 KILOMETERS OF SRI (2) AREA ABOUT 400-500 KILOMETERS OF SRI

LANKA (CEYLON),LANKA (CEYLON), (3) THE ARABIAN SEA ABOUT 70-100 (3) THE ARABIAN SEA ABOUT 70-100

KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PAKISTAN COAST -- KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PAKISTAN COAST -- OFF KARACHI AND BALUCHISTAN.OFF KARACHI AND BALUCHISTAN.

IMPACT OF TSUNAMI IN INDIAIMPACT OF TSUNAMI IN INDIA

Total death toll 9,675Total death toll 9,675 Missing persons 6107Missing persons 6107 Tamilnadu 7941Tamilnadu 7941 Andaman & Nicobar islands 1196Andaman & Nicobar islands 1196 Pondichery 583Pondichery 583 Kerala 170Kerala 170 Andhra Pradesh 105Andhra Pradesh 105

(source-Home Ministry-(source-Home Ministry- Govt of India as on 08-01-2005)Govt of India as on 08-01-2005)

QUESTIONS THAT TSUNAMI ALONE QUESTIONS THAT TSUNAMI ALONE CAN ANSWERCAN ANSWER

WHERE IS MY MUMMY? I AM WHERE IS MY MUMMY? I AM PARENTLESS!--PARENTLESS!--A CRYING CHILDA CRYING CHILDWHERE IS MY EARNING SON? WHERE IS MY EARNING SON? ----DEPENDENT OLD PEOPLE!DEPENDENT OLD PEOPLE!WHERE IS MY EARNING WHERE IS MY EARNING HUSBAND?-- HUSBAND?-- A DESTITUTE!A DESTITUTE!WHERE IS MY HOUSE? WHERE IS MY HOUSE? ----SHELTERLESS!SHELTERLESS!WHERE IS MY FISHING BOAT?WHERE IS MY FISHING BOAT?----FISHERMAN WHO LOST HIS FISHERMAN WHO LOST HIS EARNING!EARNING!WHERE ARE MY AIRFORCE WHERE ARE MY AIRFORCE ACADEMY OFFICIALS AT ACADEMY OFFICIALS AT NICOBAR ISLANDS? NICOBAR ISLANDS? ----NATION AND THEIR KITH & NATION AND THEIR KITH & KINKIN

COASTAL PEOPLECOASTAL PEOPLE

TSUNAMI AFFECTED THE PEOPLE TSUNAMI AFFECTED THE PEOPLE IN INDIAN COAST. IN INDIAN COAST.

FISHERMEN AND OTHER PEOPLE FISHERMEN AND OTHER PEOPLE LIVING ON MARINE INDUSTRIES LIVING ON MARINE INDUSTRIES ARE MAXIMUM AFFECTED.ARE MAXIMUM AFFECTED.

MOST OF THEM ARE SIMPLY MOST OF THEM ARE SIMPLY WASHED AWAY.WASHED AWAY.

THEY ARE PANIC STRICKEN NOW THEY ARE PANIC STRICKEN NOW TO CONTINUE LIVING ON THE TO CONTINUE LIVING ON THE COAST. COAST.

REHABILITATION OF COASTAL REHABILITATION OF COASTAL FISHERMENFISHERMEN

1.1. FISHERMEN ARE APTLY CALLED AS FISHERMEN ARE APTLY CALLED AS GANGA PUTRAS i.e. SONS OF THE GANGA PUTRAS i.e. SONS OF THE WATER AS THEY EARN THEIR WATER AS THEY EARN THEIR LIVELIHOOD FROM THE SEA.LIVELIHOOD FROM THE SEA.

2.2. THEY WORSHIP THE SEA AS THEIR THEY WORSHIP THE SEA AS THEIR MOTHER. THEY DON’T WANT TO MOTHER. THEY DON’T WANT TO LEAVE THE COAST - COME WHAT MAYLEAVE THE COAST - COME WHAT MAY

3.3. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVACUATE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVACUATE THEM.THEM.

4.4. REHABILITATION IS DIFFICULT REHABILITATION IS DIFFICULT PROBLEM.PROBLEM.

WORST AFFECTED TOWNS IN WORST AFFECTED TOWNS IN TAMILNADU TAMILNADU

Nagapattanam & karaikalNagapattanam & karaikal

KARAIKAL TOWN SUFFERS RS KARAIKAL TOWN SUFFERS RS 256-CR DAMAGE256-CR DAMAGE

NAGAPATNAM – 800 PERSONS NAGAPATNAM – 800 PERSONS WERE WASHED AWAY AT THE WERE WASHED AWAY AT THE BEACH.BEACH.

HUMAN LOSS IN NICOBAR HUMAN LOSS IN NICOBAR ISLANDSISLANDS

4,657 missing from Katchal island4,657 missing from Katchal islandSridhar K. Chari writes from Port Sridhar K. Chari writes from Port Blair THE latest figures provided Blair THE latest figures provided by the Integrated Relief Command by the Integrated Relief Command (IRC) here today reveal that (IRC) here today reveal that roughly 77 per cent of the 6010 roughly 77 per cent of the 6010 officially declared “missing”, a officially declared “missing”, a figure of 4657, are from the island figure of 4657, are from the island of Katchal in the southern Nicobar of Katchal in the southern Nicobar group.group.

BRAVE BRAVE SCENESCENE

10-year old 10-year old school girl school girl saved many saved many from from tsunami tsunami

Caught in Caught in swirling swirling waters, waters, mother mother makes makes toughest toughest choice of her choice of her life life

CHILDREN WERE MADE CHILDREN WERE MADE HOMELESS HOMELESS SINGLE PARENTEDSINGLE PARENTED SURVIVING PARENT IS SURVIVING PARENT IS USUALLY A HELPLESS USUALLY A HELPLESS UNEARNIG MOTHERUNEARNIG MOTHERYOUNGEST ORPHAN IS FIVE YOUNGEST ORPHAN IS FIVE YEAR OLDYEAR OLDORPHANGES ILL WORKINGORPHANGES ILL WORKINGCHILD TRADE OF TSUNAMI CHILD TRADE OF TSUNAMI ORPHANS TO CITIES AS CHILD ORPHANS TO CITIES AS CHILD LABOUR AND PROSTITUTION LABOUR AND PROSTITUTION HOUSESHOUSES Thieves, rapists, kidnappers Thieves, rapists, kidnappers and hoaxers prey on tsunami and hoaxers prey on tsunami victimsvictims

UGLY SCENEUGLY SCENE

TSUNAMI FEARTSUNAMI FEAR

UNPRECEDENTED TSUNAMI UNPRECEDENTED TSUNAMI DISTURBED MOST OF US.DISTURBED MOST OF US.

HITHERTO WE BELIEVED BEACH HITHERTO WE BELIEVED BEACH RESORTS ARE WORTH HAVING.RESORTS ARE WORTH HAVING.

BUT KNOW PEOPLE ARE AFRAID BUT KNOW PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO LIVE NEAR THE SEA COAST.TO LIVE NEAR THE SEA COAST.

WHERE THEY WILL GO? WHERE THEY WILL GO? HENCE FEARLESS HENCE FEARLESS

Remote viewing Remote viewing Andaman - Nicobar Andaman - Nicobar tribals tribals refuserefuse to to come out from come out from jungles –as per jungles –as per their predictions their predictions fresh earthquakes fresh earthquakes strike the islandsstrike the islandsStaff reporterStaff reporterJanuary 04, 2005 January 04, 2005

DART - DEEP OCEAN ASSESSMENT DART - DEEP OCEAN ASSESSMENT AND REPORT SYSTEMAND REPORT SYSTEM

KAPIL SIBAL, MINISTER FOR KAPIL SIBAL, MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND OCEAN DEVELOPMENT HAS SAID OCEAN DEVELOPMENT HAS SAID THAT -THAT -

A TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM A TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM AT A COST OF RS 1250 MILLIONS AT A COST OF RS 1250 MILLIONS AND IT WILL BE FULLY AND IT WILL BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL IN TWO-AND-HALF FUNCTIONAL IN TWO-AND-HALF YEARS.YEARS.

Tsunami politics in IndiaTsunami politics in India The minister said: "When the quake hit The minister said: "When the quake hit

Indonesia, we had information about it. Indonesia, we had information about it. What we did not have information What we did not have information about was the Tsunami. When there is about was the Tsunami. When there is any information, there is a procedure any information, there is a procedure to be followed. Till the time we have to be followed. Till the time we have complete confirmation we can't jump complete confirmation we can't jump the gun. It was the Tsunami which did the gun. It was the Tsunami which did all the damage and it was not known all the damage and it was not known before hand. So far as this 2002 thing before hand. So far as this 2002 thing is concerned, there is no information is concerned, there is no information and record in my ministry to this." and record in my ministry to this."

POOR DFISASTER POOR DFISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSMANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

TO A QUESTION, WHY INDIAN SCIENTISTS, TO A QUESTION, WHY INDIAN SCIENTISTS, DESPITE VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC DESPITE VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS TO THEIR CREDIT, FAILED TO ACHIEVEMENTS TO THEIR CREDIT, FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH NATURAL EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH NATURAL DISASTERS, SIBAL SAID "THERE HAVE BEEN DISASTERS, SIBAL SAID "THERE HAVE BEEN SOME NATURAL PHENOMENON, FOR WHICH SOME NATURAL PHENOMENON, FOR WHICH SCIENCE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND AN SCIENCE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND AN ANSWER TILL NOW." ANSWER TILL NOW." PPessimism or essimism or escapism?escapism?

SAME LAXITY HAPPENED WITH SUPER SAME LAXITY HAPPENED WITH SUPER CYCLONE IN AT ORISSA, BHOPAL GAS CYCLONE IN AT ORISSA, BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY IN MADHYA PRADESH, DIVI TRAGEDY IN MADHYA PRADESH, DIVI CYCLONE IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND VERY CYCLONE IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND VERY FREQUENT TRAIN DISASTERS.FREQUENT TRAIN DISASTERS.

WE HAVE NOT LEANED THE WE HAVE NOT LEANED THE LESSONSLESSONS

TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT TSUNAMI TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT TSUNAMI CANNOT BE EITHER PREDICTED NOR CANNOT BE EITHER PREDICTED NOR PREVENTED. IS IT AN EXCUSE? PREVENTED. IS IT AN EXCUSE? WHETHER IT IS A TSUNAMI OR TIDAL WHETHER IT IS A TSUNAMI OR TIDAL WAVE OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT , IT IS WAVE OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT , IT IS A HUGE SEA WATER COMING TO SHORE A HUGE SEA WATER COMING TO SHORE AND CUSING DAMAGE. AND CUSING DAMAGE.

DON’T WE HAVE SUCH EXPERIENCES IN DON’T WE HAVE SUCH EXPERIENCES IN THE PAST? WHAT ABOUT DIVI CYCLONE THE PAST? WHAT ABOUT DIVI CYCLONE IN ANDHRA PRADESH IN 1977 AND IN ANDHRA PRADESH IN 1977 AND SUPERCYCLONE IN ORISSA?SUPERCYCLONE IN ORISSA?

STILL WE ARE NOT READY STILL WE ARE NOT READY

SLOW AND HESITANT ACTIONSLOW AND HESITANT ACTION

GOVERNMENT NOT SURE OF GOVERNMENT NOT SURE OF ANYTHING ANYTHING

The Central Indian Government The Central Indian Government failed to act on time and then failed to act on time and then panicked all with false warningpanicked all with false warning

Balaji Reddy, Special Balaji Reddy, Special CorrespondentCorrespondentDecember 31, 2004 December 31, 2004

TSUNAMI BUDGETTSUNAMI BUDGET PRESENTLY BUDGET IS 0.9 PER CENT OF PRESENTLY BUDGET IS 0.9 PER CENT OF

THE GDP. IT WOULD BE BROUGHT UP TO THE GDP. IT WOULD BE BROUGHT UP TO TWO PER CENT OF THE GDP. IT IS GOING TWO PER CENT OF THE GDP. IT IS GOING TO BE DONE SOON. TO BE DONE SOON.

POLITICAL COMMITMENTPOLITICAL COMMITMENT PRESENT GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND THE REQUIRED MONEY FOR SCIENCE AND FOR REQUIRED MONEY FOR SCIENCE AND FOR PEOPLE'S SECURITY. IT IS OUR PRIORITYPEOPLE'S SECURITY. IT IS OUR PRIORITY

““RELIEF CAMPS 630RELIEF CAMPS 630 SHIFTED TO SAFER PLACES 6,42,297SHIFTED TO SAFER PLACES 6,42,297

GESTURES OF HUMANITYGESTURES OF HUMANITY Tendulkar to leave for Australia to play Tendulkar to leave for Australia to play

CRICKET in tsunami relief fund matchCRICKET in tsunami relief fund match

Rs 14.55-cr handed over to Jayalalithaa, Rs 14.55-cr handed over to Jayalalithaa, CHIEF MINISTER, TAMILMADU CHIEF MINISTER, TAMILMADU

Stalin hands over relief materialsStalin hands over relief materials Centre to consider special package of Centre to consider special package of

reliefrelief Centre to assess damage in tsunami-hit Centre to assess damage in tsunami-hit

Kerala Govt orders free ration to tsunami-Kerala Govt orders free ration to tsunami-hithit

Gowda seeks panel to monitor relief works Gowda seeks panel to monitor relief works

FRENCH WALLFRENCH WALL

Historic Town in India Saved Historic Town in India Saved by Sea Wallby Sea Wall

By CHRIS TOMLINSONBy CHRIS TOMLINSONThe Associated PressThe Associated Press

FRENCH WALLFRENCH WALL STONE SEA WALL THAT KEPT PONDICHERRY'S STONE SEA WALL THAT KEPT PONDICHERRY'S

HISTORIC CENTER DRY EVEN THOUGH HISTORIC CENTER DRY EVEN THOUGH TSUNAMI WAVES DROVE WATER 24 FEET TSUNAMI WAVES DROVE WATER 24 FEET ABOVE THE NORMAL HIGH-TIDE MARK. ABOVE THE NORMAL HIGH-TIDE MARK.

THE PONDICHERRY DISTRICT RECORDED THE PONDICHERRY DISTRICT RECORDED SOME 600 DEATHS FROM THE HUGE WAVES SOME 600 DEATHS FROM THE HUGE WAVES THAT STRUCK INDIA'S SOUTHEASTERN COAST THAT STRUCK INDIA'S SOUTHEASTERN COAST AFTER A MAMMOTH EARTHQUAKE OFF AFTER A MAMMOTH EARTHQUAKE OFF INDONESIA, BUT MOST OF THOSE KILLED INDONESIA, BUT MOST OF THOSE KILLED WERE FISHERMEN WHO LIVED IN VILLAGES WERE FISHERMEN WHO LIVED IN VILLAGES BEYOND THE MAN-MADE BARRIERBEYOND THE MAN-MADE BARRIER

FRENCH WALLFRENCH WALL AT ITS HEIGHT, THE BARRIER RUNNING ALONG AT ITS HEIGHT, THE BARRIER RUNNING ALONG

THE WATER'S EDGE REACHES ABOUT 27 FEET THE WATER'S EDGE REACHES ABOUT 27 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE BOULDERS, SOME ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE BOULDERS, SOME WEIGHING UP TO A TON, ARE WEATHERED WEIGHING UP TO A TON, ARE WEATHERED BLACK AND BROWN.BLACK AND BROWN.

ON DEC. 26, WHEN TOWERING WAVES CRASHED ON DEC. 26, WHEN TOWERING WAVES CRASHED AGAINST INDIA'S SOUTHERN COAST, THE WALL AGAINST INDIA'S SOUTHERN COAST, THE WALL HELD. PONDICHERRY WAS VERY SAFE BECAUSE HELD. PONDICHERRY WAS VERY SAFE BECAUSE OF THE ROCK BARRIER," SAID S. SUBRAMANIAN, OF THE ROCK BARRIER," SAID S. SUBRAMANIAN, MANAGER OF THE TOURIST INFORMATION MANAGER OF THE TOURIST INFORMATION BUREAU, WHICH HAS ITS OFFICE ON THE ROAD BUREAU, WHICH HAS ITS OFFICE ON THE ROAD OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN. HE SAID ONLY THE OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN. HE SAID ONLY THE FISHING VILLAGES AND BEACH RESORTS ON FISHING VILLAGES AND BEACH RESORTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BARRIER WERE DAMAGED.EITHER SIDE OF THE BARRIER WERE DAMAGED.

WALL SAVED MAALECITY WALL SAVED MAALECITY (MALDIVES)(MALDIVES)

MALE, THE CAPITAL CITY OF MALE, THE CAPITAL CITY OF MALDIVES IS ALSO SAVED BY MALDIVES IS ALSO SAVED BY A WALL WHEN TSUNAMI HIT A WALL WHEN TSUNAMI HIT THAT ISLAND COUNTRYTHAT ISLAND COUNTRY

BANGLADESH BARRIERBANGLADESH BARRIER

IN NEIGHBORING BANGLADESH, IN NEIGHBORING BANGLADESH, WHICH HAD ONLY TWO DEATHS WHICH HAD ONLY TWO DEATHS FROM THE TSUNAMI, THERE IS A FROM THE TSUNAMI, THERE IS A SIMILAR NATURAL BARRIER.SIMILAR NATURAL BARRIER.

BILLIONS OF TONS OF SEDIMENT BILLIONS OF TONS OF SEDIMENT CARRIED INTO THE SEA BY THE CARRIED INTO THE SEA BY THE COUNTRY'S NUMEROUS RIVERS COUNTRY'S NUMEROUS RIVERS SLOWED THE SEA SURGES SLOWED THE SEA SURGES BEFORE THEY HIT THE COAST.BEFORE THEY HIT THE COAST.

ARE THE WALLS BETTER FOR ARE THE WALLS BETTER FOR SMALL ISLAND COUNTRIES?SMALL ISLAND COUNTRIES?

IT SEEMS SOIT SEEMS SO EVENTHOUGH WARNING WAS RECEIVED EVENTHOUGH WARNING WAS RECEIVED

WHERE WILL THEY LEAVE? WHERE WILL THEY LEAVE? WHERE THEY WILL GO UNLESS THEY HAVE WHERE THEY WILL GO UNLESS THEY HAVE

SOME MAIN LAND NEARBY WHICH WILL SOME MAIN LAND NEARBY WHICH WILL PERMIT THEM?PERMIT THEM?

THEY HAVE TO LEAVE ALL THEIR PROPERTY THEY HAVE TO LEAVE ALL THEIR PROPERTY AND COUNTRY? AND COUNTRY?

IN SMALL ISLANDS LIKE IN SMALL ISLANDS LIKE ANDAMANS,NICOBAR, LAKSHDIVES, ANDAMANS,NICOBAR, LAKSHDIVES, MALDIVES WALLS ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE MALDIVES WALLS ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE SIMPLE TO CONSTRUCT INDIGENEOUSLY AND SIMPLE TO CONSTRUCT INDIGENEOUSLY AND CHEAPER THAN POSSESSING WARNING CHEAPER THAN POSSESSING WARNING SYSTEMS WHICH THEY CANNOT AFFORD.SYSTEMS WHICH THEY CANNOT AFFORD.

PACIFIC WARNING SYSTEMS AND PACIFIC WARNING SYSTEMS AND THEIR NARROW MINDEDNESS ?THEIR NARROW MINDEDNESS ?

The angry questions that hundreds of thousands The angry questions that hundreds of thousands of family members of victims are asking, of family members of victims are asking, especially in Sri Lanka and India, are "what especially in Sri Lanka and India, are "what happened?"--and "why did no one warn us before happened?"--and "why did no one warn us before the tsunami hit?" The Pacific Tsunami Warning the tsunami hit?" The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had issued a tsunami bulletin and had Center had issued a tsunami bulletin and had concluded that there was no danger for the concluded that there was no danger for the Pacific nations in its jurisdiction. Pacific nations in its jurisdiction.

Why didn't it extend its warning to South and Why didn't it extend its warning to South and Southeast Asia? It is perhaps clear with hindsight Southeast Asia? It is perhaps clear with hindsight that an Indian Ocean tsunami warning center that an Indian Ocean tsunami warning center should have been in place, or that the Indian should have been in place, or that the Indian Ocean nations should have requested coverage Ocean nations should have requested coverage from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

INDIFFERENCEINDIFFERENCE

NASA FAILED TO HELP BY PRIOR NASA FAILED TO HELP BY PRIOR

INFORMATIONINFORMATION

SOULD HAVE SAVED MILLIONS SOULD HAVE SAVED MILLIONS OF PEOPLEOF PEOPLE

WHY? TSUNAMI POLITICS?WHY? TSUNAMI POLITICS?

JOINT ACTIONJOINT ACTION Indian ocean scientists, disaster Indian ocean scientists, disaster

managers, policy makers, and local managers, policy makers, and local communities need to work together communities need to work together toward the common goal of creating toward the common goal of creating tsunami-resistant communities with tsunami-resistant communities with access to accurate, timely tsunami access to accurate, timely tsunami warnings. warnings.

A tsunami warning center needs to A tsunami warning center needs to be established as soon as practical be established as soon as practical in the region, and the Pacific in the region, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center should act Tsunami Warning Center should act as an interim warning center. as an interim warning center.