A devastating tsunami struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Boxing Day, 2004, leaving thousands dead and millions homeless. The 9.1 magnitude earthquake off northwest Sumatra triggered a wall of water that reached as high as 15 meters in places.
An eyewitness recounts how they were on a ferry headed to Havelock when the tsunami hit. Despite being only metres from the shore, they were unaware of the scale of destruction until the jetty crumpled and fell into the sea.
The islands suffered extensive damage, with salt water contaminating many sources of fresh water and destroying arable land. A huge relief effort was mounted by the authorities, involving the army, navy, and air force.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation, including entire villages flattened and people waiting for rescuers without food or water for 48 hours. Many were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs after escaping the disaster.
Twenty years on, the trauma remains fresh. The eyewitness reflects on what could have been if the tremors had come a few minutes earlier or if the wall of water had hit the shore while they waited to board their ferry.
Thousands lost their lives that day, leaving behind countless stories of survival and tragedy.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6230646435o