Question

Which were the areas affected by the Asian Tsunami? Describe the extent of destruction caused by it.

Answer 1

The Asian tsunami of 2004 is counted among one of the most serious natural disasters so far. It was responsible for the death of thousands of people and unprecedented loss of property and resources. The worst impact was in the parts of south and southeast Asian countries. Tsunami wrecked havoc on the coastal areas of Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. It also affected the countries along the Indian Ocean like Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Maldives. The impact was not limited to Asian countries; some African countries like Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya and Somalia were in the line of impact of tsunami. In India, the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands suffered the wrath of tsunami. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were worst affected by this crisis, as the southernmost point of the islands, also known as Indira Point, was completely submerged in the ocean. The Asian tsunami claimed the lives of more than 1.8 lakh people, according to an estimation. Nearly 42,000 people were never found. Houses were completely flattened, trees and poles were uprooted, fields were submerged in water and the means of transport were diminished to the core. Many villages got wiped off. Such were the horrifying scene and devastating extent of the tsunami of 2004.