26/12/2024
Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram,
26 December 2024
Two decades ago, on this day, the
tranquil lives of the residents of the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
were upended by one of the
deadliest natural disasters in
recorded history—the Indian Ocean
Tsunami of 2004. The colossal
waves, triggered by a massive
undersea earthquake off the coast
of Sumatra, claimed hundreds of
lives and left thousands missing in
the archipelago. Many of those
declared missing were never found
and are presumed dead.
The Nicobar District bore the brunt
of the devastation. Islands such as
Great Nicobar, Kamorta, Katchal,
Trinket, Teressa, Chowra, and Car
Nicobar witnessed staggering
losses, with entire communities
obliterated. In South Andaman
District, Little Andaman Island
suffered severe casualties, while
South Andaman Island also
experienced significant loss of life.
The initial aftermath of the tsunami
was harrowing. Aid was slow to
reach remote and hard to access
areas. In the absence of immediate
assistance, survivors relied on
each other, salvaging whatever
they could from the wreckage to
endure. The remote islands
presented particularly grim scenes
—bodies of locals and foreign
nationals washed ashore, a
haunting reminder of the disaster's
widespread impact. Authorities and
residents worked together to
recover and respectfully dispose of
the deceased.
The tsunami left the residents of
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
grappling with unimaginable loss
and destruction. Homes were
reduced to rubble, livelihoods
vanished, and survivors were
forced to start their lives from
scratch. Relief camps became their
temporary refuge, with aid
organisations and government
efforts providing food, clothing, and
basic necessities.
Temporary shelters, constructed
with corrugated sheets and
equipped with communal toilet
complexes, became a new reality
for the displaced. Rations, including
essentials like rice, pulses, onions,
potatoes, and spices, sustained the
survivors for years. However, the
journey to permanent housing was
fraught with delays and missed
deadlines, compounding the
hardship faced by the victims.
Even today, the scars of the
tsunami remain visible. Damaged
buildings and infrastructure still
stand on the shores of remote
islands like Great Nicobar, silent
witnesses to the catastrophic
waves that altered the region
forever.
For the survivors, the memory of 26
December 2004 evokes deep pain
and fear. Before the disaster, many
residents had never heard the word
“tsunami.” It was through radio
broadcasts that many learned that
the "bada halfa" (big wave) that
devastated not only their islands,
but also countries across the Indian
Ocean, was called “Tsunami”.
The tsunami’s impact transcended
physical destruction. It divided time
into two eras for the islanders—life
before and life after the disaster.
For the families of the thousands
who perished, the grief remains an
indelible mark, and no tribute feels
adequate to honour their loss.
Twenty years later, the islands
have rebuilt and moved forward,
driven by hope for a better
tomorrow. The resilience of the
residents shines through as they
continue to adapt and develop. The
tsunami was not just a natural
calamity—it was a turning point, a
reminder of the fragility of life and
the strength of the human spirit to
endure and rebuild.
As the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands commemorate this somber
anniversary, the echoes of that
fateful day remain a powerful
reminder of the importance of
preparedness, solidarity, and the
enduring hope for a brighter future.
