Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 December 2024
Two decades ago, on this day, the tranquil lives of the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were upended by one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history—the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. The colossal waves, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands missing in the archipelago. Many of those declared missing were never found and are presumed dead.
The Nicobar District bore the brunt of the devastation. Islands such as Great Nicobar, Kamorta, Katchal, Trinket, Teressa, Chowra, and Car Nicobar witnessed staggering losses, with entire communities obliterated. In South Andaman District, Little Andaman Island suffered severe casualties, while South Andaman Island also experienced significant loss of life.
The initial aftermath of the tsunami was harrowing. Aid was slow to reach remote and hard-to-access areas. In the absence of immediate assistance, survivors relied on each other, salvaging whatever they could from the wreckage to endure. The remote islands presented particularly grim scenes—bodies of locals and foreign nationals washed ashore, a haunting reminder of the disaster’s widespread impact. Authorities and residents worked together to recover and respectfully dispose of the deceased.
The tsunami left the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands grappling with unimaginable loss and destruction. Homes were reduced to rubble, livelihoods vanished, and survivors were forced to start their lives from scratch. Relief camps became their temporary refuge, with aid organisations and government efforts providing food, clothing, and basic necessities.
Temporary shelters, constructed with corrugated sheets and equipped with communal toilet complexes, became a new reality for the displaced. Rations, including essentials like rice, pulses, onions, potatoes, and spices, sustained the survivors for years. However, the journey to permanent housing was fraught with delays and missed deadlines, compounding the hardship faced by the victims.
Even today, the scars of the tsunami remain visible. Damaged buildings and infrastructure still stand on the shores of remote islands like Great Nicobar, silent witnesses to the catastrophic waves that altered the region forever.
For the survivors, the memory of 26 December 2004 evokes deep pain and fear. Before the disaster, many residents had never heard the word “tsunami.” It was through radio broadcasts that many learned that the “bada halfa” (big wave) that devastated not only their islands, but also countries across the Indian Ocean, was called “Tsunami”.
The tsunami’s impact transcended physical destruction. It divided time into two eras for the islanders—life before and life after the disaster. For the families of the thousands who perished, the grief remains an indelible mark, and no tribute feels adequate to honour their loss.
Twenty years later, the islands have rebuilt and moved forward, driven by hope for a better tomorrow. The resilience of the residents shines through as they continue to adapt and develop. The tsunami was not just a natural calamity—it was a turning point, a reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit to endure and rebuild.
As the Andaman and Nicobar Islands commemorate this somber anniversary, the echoes of that fateful day remain a powerful reminder of the importance of preparedness, solidarity, and the enduring hope for a brighter future.