An update on the devastating earthquake and tsunamis that hit Asia yesterday. Latest news suggests that the earthquake measured 9.0 on the Richter scale. Note: we'll be updating about the quake, it's aftermath and it lessons thoughout the day on the main page.
States of emergency have been declared by Sri Lanka and Maldives. Tremors rocked Port Blair this morning. Continued aftershocks are expected in the region. The Indian Met department has warned people to stay away from shores for the next 48 hours.
Read Keith Taylor's understanding of the magnitude of the devastation both immediate and longer term, and a detailed explanation on tsunamis. Excellent coverage at The Command Post, a first-hand account here, updated death tolls here and how you can help [Source : Keith Taylor].
The death toll that continues to rise [Source: NDTV]. As of at 10 am this morning, almost exactly 24 hours after the tsunamis struck, this is what it looks like :
Total dead : Almost 13,000. Many thousands more missing.
Indonesia : 4200
Sri Lanka : 4300; 750,000 displaced and unconfirmed reports about more flooding
India : 3900 ; statewise split Tamil Nadu- 2900; Andaman & Nicobar Islands- 1000; Andhra Pradesh- 89 ; Kerala- 128
Thailand : 280
Malaysia : 40
Maldives : 38
We called up our friends in South India and Sri Lanka and they are safe. Still, they know people who have been affected and some are still missing. We are all affected.
I am wondering too whether we would have seen this huge loss had the region had tsunami warning systems like the US and Japan?
Still, right now its all about relief operations in the region - aid to survivors, hunt for the missing. There are mounting fears of epidemics resulting from the floods, contamination of food and water, and a break-down in sanitation.
The why's will come later - and the human stories.
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Welcome Boing Boing readers -- more information on the Tsumani can be found on the WC homepage
Posted by: Cameron Sinclair on 27 Dec 04
Kudos on an exceptional review of a terrible situation. Your feature is linked from Planeta.com
>> http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=369
Posted by: Ron Mader on 27 Dec 04
Does anyone know what happened to Palavakkam and Neelankarai? My parents live in Palavakkam about 2 blocks from the beach. They have a school in Neelankarai: East Coast Christian School. I am neither able to get through to the consulate nor am I able to reach my parents. Can someone please help?
Vikram Peters
FCTorino@Yahoo.com
Posted by: Vikram Peters on 27 Dec 04
For Vikram Peters -
My thoughts are with you and I hope you find your parents safe and sound.
Posted by: mj on 28 Dec 04
Thanks Rod.
Vikram .. i have been trying to locate some pointers for you with little success. Will keep trying. Do let us know if you hear from your parents. Have you tried contacting the Regional -Tamil Nadu - Chennai Corporation Emergency numbers ? They are here :
+91-44-2538 3783
+91-44-2538 4670
+91-442538 1330
Source: TN Govt
Dina
Posted by: Dina on 28 Dec 04
This message is for Vikram.I am from madras and right now located in the us.Though none of my family are located in Madras right now, i have a lot of friends there.If you can give me your parents phone #.i can ask someone to call and find out.Let me know.my email add is sabita.ramachandran@gmail.com
Sabita
Posted by: Sabita on 28 Dec 04
hi Vikram,
I am currently in chennai and neelankarai and palvakkam are comparitively unharmed. But anyway if you get my ur parents phone numbers i can contact them for you ...my mail id is anoopwilson@gmail.com
Regards,
Anoop Wilson
Posted by: Anoop Wilson on 28 Dec 04
My heart and that of my sons go out to all. I am a single mother and cannot afford financial aide but would be happy to donate any clothes and bedding we can come up with in our home. Do you know of any organizations that are collecting these types of items.
Sincerely,
Friends from Afar
Posted by: Lori on 29 Dec 04
I am interested to know whether there is research which can reverse the effect of tsunami, not so much in the warning system, but of finding the solution to minimize the force of the waves to the shores/inland. Is there a possibility for us to "fight" the waves instead of running from it every time?
Posted by: Jack on 3 Jan 05
Vikram,
I really hope that you find out what you need to know. I hope that you had a good Christmas and that this will still be a good year for you. I will be sure to have my family pray for you. I really hope that everythimg will go well with you and your family. GOD BLESS!!!
PS. God is always here for you.
Posted by: Kayla on 3 Jan 05
Vikram,
I really hope that you find out what you need to know. I hope that you had a good Christmas and that this will still be a good year for you. I will be sure to have my family pray for you. I really hope that everythimg will go well with you and your family. GOD BLESS!!!
PS. God is always here for you.
Posted by: Kayla on 3 Jan 05
I wonder if this will effect the world in the future. God help all the people and families that were affected by this natural cause. My blessings to all.
Posted by: Elizabeth on 4 Jan 05
Hello,
We have created an online memorial dedicated to the Asian Tsunami.
Won't you please visit?
Click here to view the tsunami memorial. Be sure to sign the guest book.
http://suicideandmentalhealthassociationinternational.org/asiantsunami.html
Please allow a few seconds for the pages to load due to graphics and music.
Please feel free to share the link with anyone who might be interested.
Please take good care,
Brenda Reeves
Posted by: Brenda on 8 Jan 05
