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What is a Tsunami "Harbor waves"?
Tsunamis are ocean waves produced by underwater earthquakes
or landslides. The Japanese named them "harbor wave",
for the devastating effect they have on coastal communities.
Tsunami is not a single wave, but rather a series of
long waves that can travel at speeds averaging 450/600
miles an hour in the open ocean. Since the waves are
only a couple of feet high, they generally go unnoticed.
Boats do not feel their movement, nor can they be spotted
from the air. Nearing the coastline, the speed
of the waves decreases and the amplitude increases. As
the waves rush against the shore, the relentless forceful
wall of rushing water can cause widespread
destruction and many deaths or injuries.
Tsunami 2004
On December 26, 2004, an underwater earthquake off the western
tip of Indonesia, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, rocked
the Earth. Dozens of aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.0
or higher followed. But the most devastating aftermath
was the monster tsunami that struck 13 countries around
the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea, leaving a trail of death.
In a matter of minutes, more than 200,000 people lost their
lives while hundreds of thousands went missing - many never
to be found. Hundreds of thousands more were instantly
homeless, left vulnerable to disease and starvation. |
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Tsunami Memorial on Kamala Beach |
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| While the worst devastation occurred in Indonesia,
where more than 128,000 people were killed, and Sri Lanka,
Thailand was not spared. A wall of water 10m (30 feet)
high hit Thailand's west coast, including outlying islands
and the tourist's resorts near Phuket. More than 5,300
people were confirmed dead, half of whom were foreign tourists
from 36 countries. Unsubstantiated reports put the death
toll far higher than that. According to UNICEF, 1,221 children
lost one or both parents. A staggering 12,017 households
were affected. And 7,446 fishing boats were lost or damaged,
leaving many fishing villages without any source of income.
Khao Lak, in Phang Nga province, bore the brunt of the
Tsuanami in Thailand. Five-star hotels only a few
years old - along with countless guests and hotel workers,
were swept away. The tiny island of Phi Phi Don, located
between Phuket and Krabi in Krabi province, was devastated,
especially Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lao Dalam. On Phuket, the
official death toll was 200, mainly in the most popular
resort area of Patong and nearby Kamala Beach and village.
Plans to repair all the tsunami damage were in high gear throughout 2005. While parts of Thailand's Andaman Coast, namely Khao Lak and Phi Phi, were devastated, as noted, most of the other tourist areas were back to normal operation within a few weeks. It is important to note that Phuket and its offshore islands' outstanding coral reefs sustained minimal, if any damage from the tsunami. Despite initial concerns, diving and snorkelling conditions remain superb.
In all the affected areas the beaches are fine and the water is clean (many say cleaner that ever). Infrastructure and transport are in place, with services such as the Internet, ATMs, and travel agencies available.
On May 31, 2005, Thailand inaugurated the National Disaster Warning Center, thereby becoming the first country hit by the tsunami to launch a natural disaster public early warning system. The center is staffed 24 hours by a multidisciplinary team of experts drawn from various fields including natural sciences and crises management. The system was tested on July 24, 2005, when an earthquake off India's eastern coast produced a tsunami threat; thousand of people living in the six provinces hit by the Christmas tsunami-including Phuket-were quickly evacuated. No tsunami followed, thankfully, but this time, the coastline was prepared.
Surviving a Tsunami |
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Retreat from the seashore immediately and evacuate to a safe place if a tsunami warning is issued after an earthquake occurs. |
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DO NOT wait for the coming tsunami as it travels rapidly at approximately 36 - 54 kilometer per hour (faster than adult running speed). |
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Stay in the evacuation area and wait for further clearance for your safe return. |
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How to Protect Oneself from a Tsunami
What you should do before a tsunami occurs |
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Find out if your home or hotel is located in a tsunami hazard zone or not. Know the height of your home or hotel above sea level and the distance of your home or hotel from the coast. Evacuation orders may be based on these factors. |
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Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a tsunami (a real possibility when adults are at work and children are at school) have a plan ready for getting back together. Ask an out-of-area relative or a friend to serve as the "family contact". Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person. |
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Familiarize yourself and understand warning signs
such as "Tsunami Hazard Zone", "Evacuation
Route" and "Evacuation Shelter" signs. "Tsunami
Hazard Zone" means that the area is prone to tsunami
waves and flooding. If an earthquake occurs or the
ocean recedes unusually rapidly and far from
the shoreline it is a sign that big waves are on their
way. Go to higher ground immediately. |
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"Evacuation Route" sign shows the direction to a safe place outside the tsunami hazard zone such as a high ground or a shelter. In case of a tsunami warning alarm, follow the direction of the tsunami evacuation route.
"Evacuation Shelter" shows the location outside Tsunami Hazard Zone selected and prepared by the local administrative offices to be safe from tsunami impacts. |
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Be familiar with tsunami evacuation route maps and
make evacuation plans. Pickthe nearest tsunami shelter
area and suitable tsunami evacuation route. After an
earthquake or other natural disasters the roads in
and out of the vicinity may be blocked so pick more
than one evacuation route. |
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Make sure all family members know how to respond to a tsunami.
Be prepared to have emergency equipment such as flashlights, batteries, radios, first aid kits, openers, and slippers. Other necessities such as food and drinking water should come in handy too. |
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A meeting point should be planned prior to the evacuation in case family members are going to be separated. |
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| What you should do during a tsunami |
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If you are at home and hear a tsunami warning alarm, be sure that the entire family members are notified of the warning. |
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If you are at the beach or near the ocean and you
feel the earth shake, move immediately to higher grounds.
DO NOT wait for a tsunami warning to be announced.
Stay away from rivers and streams that lead to the
ocean. A regional tsunami from a local earthquake could
strike some areas before a tsunami warning can be announced. |
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Monitor radio or television news to get the latest emergency information from the National Disaster Warning Centre and prepare for evacuation if asked to do so. |
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If you hear an official tsunami warning or detect
signs of a tsunami, evacuate at once. i.e., climb to
higher ground. A tsunami warning is issued when authorities
are certain that a tsunami threat exists. |
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Stay away from the beach and never go down to the
beach to watch an approaching tsunami. If you can see
the wave you are too close to escape from it. |
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A tsunami is a series of waves. Do not assume that one wave means that the danger is over. The next wave may be larger than the first one. Stay out of the area. |
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Return home only after authorities advise it is safe to do so. |
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Help the injured or trapped persons. |
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If able give first aid where appropriate.
Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are
in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help. |
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Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home or to your hotel only when authorities say it is safe to do so. |
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| If you are on a boat or ship |
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If you have enough time, move your vessel
offshore to deep water. If not, leave your boat immediately
and go to higher ground. |
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If you are on board your vessel further offshore, don't bring your vessel to the port. Stay offshore until you notice the safe signal. |
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Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbors for a period of time following the initial tsunami impact on the coast. Contact the harbor authority before returning to port, making sure that conditions in the harbor are safe for navigation and berthing. |
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When you hear a Tsunami alarm |
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Keep away from the tsunami hazard zone and go to a safe place such as a tsunami evacuation shelter. |
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If you cannnot run away from the tsunami hazard
zone in time, climb to the nearest high tree or building. |
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Stay in the tsunami shelters until you are sure that no more aftershocks will follow. |
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Don't take refuge in cars. |
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