The story of a survivor from the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 highlights the chaos, destruction, and human suffering that followed the earthquake, forever changing the landscape and lives of those in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Remembering the Tsunami: A Survivor's Tale from the Andaman Islands
Remembering the Tsunami: A Survivor's Tale from the Andaman Islands
Reflecting on the catastrophic tsunami of December 2004, a survivor recounts harrowing experiences as waves of destruction flooded the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On December 26, 2004, as the devastating earthquake struck at 06:30 local time (01:00 GMT), I was on a ferry sailing towards Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. This picturesque locale was celebrated for its silver sands and crystalline waters, with its Radhanagar beach recently recognized as "Asia's Best Beach" by Time magazine. My visit to the islands was deeply personal; I was reconnecting with my best friend, who had lived in Port Blair, the capital, for over a decade.
On Christmas Eve, excitement filled our plans to spend three days at Havelock. Our group, including eager children, packed sandwiches and snacks as we headed to the Phoenix Bay jetty to board the ferry. I stood on the front deck, taking in the sights when the unimaginable happened. The boat suddenly lurched as the jetty near us crumbled into the ocean, taking the adjacent watchtower and an electricity pole along with it. Thankfully, it was devoid of passengers at that hour, sparing any immediate casualties.
I learned later from the crew that a massive earthquake had struck. Unbeknownst to us, it was a 9.1 magnitude quake, the third most powerful ever documented, triggering a tsunami that would wreak havoc across numerous countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Just 100km from the epicenter, the islands suffered extensive destruction as a colossal wave, reaching heights of 15 meters, struck just fifteen minutes following the tremor. The calamity claimed an estimated 228,000 lives across the affected nations, with 1,310 confirmed fatalities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands alone, while over 5,600 disappeared, presumed dead.
At the time, however, the scale of devastation remained unknown to us on the ferry. With no functioning mobile phones, we only pieced together reports of destruction elsewhere until we learned the ferry's destination was damaged and under water. After several anxious hours adrift, we returned to Port Blair, landing at another jetty riddled with significant damage.
The scene unfolded before us was heart-wrenching: buildings reduced to rubble, overturned boats littering streets, and vast gashes in the roads. Thousands were left homeless as the tidal wave encroached upon the low-lying regions. Through my lens as a journalist, I witnessed individual tragedies, including a nine-year-old girl who had nearly drowned when her house flooded. Grieving moments unfolded around me as parents grappled with the loss of their homes and possessions in seconds.
In the weeks that followed, I intensively reported on the aftermath of this unprecedented tsunami. The ecological consequences were staggering, as saltwater contaminated freshwater supplies and decimated agricultural land. Emergency responses were hampered due to damaged transport infrastructures, complicating the relief efforts.
Efforts from military forces emerged as crucial, with rescue operations aimed at providing temporary relief to those displaced. Daily, survivors were transported from islands to Port Blair, sharing stories of despair and heartache. A woman from Car Nicobar recounted the terrifying moment of the earthquake and the onslaught of water as she clung to her newborn.
The Indian air force base in Car Nicobar was utterly annihilated, with numerous residents and military personnel perishing. As journalists, we were airlifted to witness the destruction, where we learned that entire villages had been obliterated. The horror stories resonated, including families torn apart as they lost children to the waves, with only remnants of their belongings scattered amidst wreckage.
Even years later, I reflect on that day when I set sail for Havelock, contemplated the possibility of different outcomes if the tremors had struck sooner. My close encounter was a grim reminder that while I survived, countless others were not as fortunate, leaving a lasting impact that shaped the Straits of Andaman and Nicobar forever.
