Remembering deadliest Tsunami in history: 2004 Indian ocean tragedy

In December 2004, a powerful earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of some 230,000 people, making it the deadliest tsunami ever recorded.

Indian ocean tragedy

The tsunami caused extensive damage along the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and reached the shores of Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state.

In Tamil Nadu, the government reported that 13 districts were affected, with four coastal districts experiencing severe loss of life. The impact was profound, with 10,749 deaths, 5,640 missing persons, and 647,599 displaced persons in India.

Many families residing along the coast lost their homes and were relocated to various temporary shelters, including schools, wedding halls, and makeshift structures at least 200 meters from the ocean.

While some displacements were temporary, others faced long-term uncertainty. About half of the displaced people could return to their homes within a month, while the remaining half had to wait for permanent housing as they were moved from relief camps to temporary shelters.

These shelters, often made of tar sheets, were intended for short-term use, but ended up housing people for more than three years. Consequently, a significant number of people continued to live in dilapidated and unsustainable conditions.

Permanent displacement

Amidst the displacement, the Coastal Regulation Zones prohibited the construction of houses within 500 meters of the coast. For fishing communities whose lives revolved around the sea, this restriction posed a greater threat than the tsunami itself.

The livelihoods of these communities depended on their proximity to the ocean, and regulations prevented them from leaving their boats, equipment, and nets unattended on shore.

Fishing communities saw these regulations as a strategy to evict them and facilitate the transfer of coastal land to private developers for resorts and luxury residences. In response, they organized protests across the state, refusing to consent to measures that would result in permanent displacement from their homes and traditional livelihoods. Some communities held large-scale demonstrations and organized street protests, gaining support from fishing federations in neighbouring Kerala.

While certain communities fought for their rights, others that depended on the fishing industry fought without organized support. People involved in repairing nets, selling fish, and other fishing-related activities faced severe setbacks, as their livelihoods were directly linked to fishing communities. These people tried hard to find alternative sources of income, but their efforts met with limited success.

Farming communities faced significant challenges

Farming communities in districts like Nagapattinam and Thanjavur also faced significant challenges. The tsunami inundated fertile paddy fields, leaving them unusable for years. Small and marginal farmers, who relied solely on agriculture for income, found themselves without any means of livelihood.

The compensation provided by the government was inadequate for a dignified life. Many wage laborers employed in agriculture had to migrate in search of employment opportunities, leading to an exodus of people to cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Thanjavur, Coimbatore and Tirupur.

Stories of the 2004 tsunami are filled with tales of tragedy, people losing everything in a matter of minutes and being forced to be homeless and poor. The journey to recovery has been long and arduous, particularly for disadvantaged communities that experienced the combined trauma of loss and displacement.

25 Deadliest Tsunami in history

This content is originally published under the Creative Commons license by 360info™. The Ground Report editorial team has made some changes to the original version.

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