The liitle tremor that shook the planet

It was rather unusual for me to wake up at 6 on a Sunday morning.But then I felt my cot trembling from all sides.

Initially I thought something was wrong with me, a head reel perhaps but when I heard the sound of vessels falling off the shelf in the kitchen, I knew it was the initiation of an earth quake.

But little did I realise that this was going to be much bigger than an earthquake.

However, I quickly shook everybody out of bed and just taking the house keys, a small purse with some money and credit cards and the cellphone ofcourse, and not forgetting to turning off the gas cylinder and the electric mains(remember to do this in any calamity) we all rushed down the staircase(Tip:- never ever use an elevator in any calamity).

We stood a furlong away from the multi-storied apartment and then called up friends and relatives who were unaware of the situation and still in a deep slumber.In no time the entire building was evacuvated and we waited for nearly and hour and a half before heaving a sigh of relief.

But who would think that the joy would be short lived.Suddenly we spotted pigeons and stray dogs scattering like crazy and a few minutes later there was screeching of people and honking of vehicles from all around the place.
"Kadal vandhirkhu(the floods have come!), Kadal vandhirku!" I heard the maids and servants panic as they all rushed out of the building, running towards the nearby Marina beach.

I immediately climbed upto the terrace of my building and what I saw next was something I'd never forget all my life.There was so much chaos all over the beach with fear and devastation as seen never before.

By then the massive waves had already receeded leaving behind a vast expanse of destruction. It was the Tsunami of 2006 which errupted as a little tremor and went on to drag millions to their death.I wish I had a camera handy with me but then when I felt the quake all I was interested was to run down to safety.

The next morning it was all in papers and T.V. and people had woken yp to thos new word called Tsunami. By then many had lost their lives and property and the ones who survived miraculously were bereaved, having lost one or more of their friends and relatives and shell shocked.

It would take them ages before they recovered.

The entire world joined hands and came forward to help the victims and millions who were not affected also took advantage of the situation. The funds collected and distributed were so massive in scale that the families of the victims who had lost their lives due to other circumstances like road accidents or famine, wished they'd have got struck by Tsunami.

However, I had a feature published in Young World(Hindu) about this unknown devil called Tsunami. Here's the article:-

Young World
Be sensitive to the signs from nature

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Tsunami was unknown to the sub-continent until a year ago. And then suddenly after the disaster of 2004, it became the most talked about subject. A tsunami is a series of great sea-waves caused usually by an underwater earthquake of sufficient force, or a landslide, or volcanic eruption.

It is not a single wave but a series of waves, also known as a wave train.
The first wave in a tsunami is not necessarily the most destructive. They are not tidal waves. The waves can be very long (as much as 60 miles, or 100 kilometres) and be as far as one hour apart. They are able to cross entire oceans without great loss of energy.

The Indian Ocean tsunami travelled as far as 3,000 miles (nearly 5,000 kilometres) to Africa, arriving with sufficient force to kill people and destroy property. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami could rank as the most devastating on record. News reports so far suggest that more than 1,50,000 people may have lost their lives, many of them swept into the sea.

Warning signs
An earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. If you feel a strong quake, do not stay in a place where you are exposed to a tsunami. If you hear of an earthquake, be aware of the possibility of a tsunami and listen for additional information. Remember that an earthquake can trigger killer waves thousands of miles across the ocean many hours after the event generated a tsunami.

Witnesses have reported that an approaching tsunami is sometimes preceded by a noticeable fall or rise in the water level. If you see the ocean receding unusually rapidly or far it's a sign that a big wave is on its way. Go to high ground immediately.

Because Tsunamis can approach the shore as fast as 100 miles per hour (160 kilometres per hour) it is often too late to get away if you see one. Survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami reported that the sea surged out as fast and as powerfully as it came ashore. Many people were seen being swept out to sea when the ocean retreated.

A Tsunami surge may be small at one point of the shore and large at another point a short distance away. Do not assume that because there is minimal sign of a tsunami in one place it will be like that everywhere else.

Tsunamis can travel up rivers and streams that lead to the ocean. Stay away from rivers and streams that lead to the ocean, as you would stay away from the beach and ocean if there is a Tsunami.

It's always a good idea to keep a store of emergency supplies that include sufficient medications, water, and other essentials sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Natural disasters strike unawares but many times there is a slight variation in the surrounding atmosphere, before a disaster like an earthquake, a volcano, a cyclone or a tsunami. Especially, birds and animals begin to show signs of disturbances. Whenever you notice these signs, instantly vacate the spot.

Note:- It is believed that the city of Dwaraka was hit by Tsunami and so was a city called Poompuhar in coastal Tamilnadu. Next in line they say is Angkhor Wat in Cambodia.So, better visit this architectural wonder before Nature gobbles her up one fine day.

I'm sure you enjoyed the feature aswell as the facts as much as I enjoyed writing them. Will catch up soon with some other tale to tell.

Till then Chao!