Tsunami
Tsunami is a Japanese word. It means high tidal waves. On 26th December, 2004 was caused by a very powerful under water earthquake near Sumatra in Indonesia. It is regarded as one of the most terrible earthquakes that hit the earth in a period of last forty years. This earthquake was 8.9 on the Richter scale when measured. The water level in the ocean rises to an abnormal height and this happens due to the uneven 0movement of the plates of the ocean bed. As a result, huge mass of rising of tidal waves rushes at a violent speed flooding, killing and destroying everything that come in its way.
The destructive effect of this curse was spread most frightfully in Srilanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand. Indian islands like Andaman and Nicobar were affected in the worst and most undesirable way. Even some places in Africa like Somalia and Tanzania, distant from the quake’s fearful black paws, have reported cruel death and destruction. The rising waves of 30 to 40 feet height hit and ruined the vast area of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and chiefly Andaman and Nicobar islands. The latest record shows that the tsunami has killed almost 1,50,000 people in affected areas.
Thousands of people have been homeless, injured and washed away without any trace leaving behind. Property valued of several crores have been damaged and destroyed.
A great volume of relief and rescue operations were taken up to give relief to the sufferers in the affected places. Necessary help was given from home and abroad.
