The huge catastrophe that struck Japan in 2011 with an earthquake measuring

8.9 accompanied by 10-metre tsunami waves created devastation and

destruction of unprecedented levels. The natural adversity gave no time for any
preparation to the authorities even to shell out a warning to its citizens. And a
sudden impact swept away the entire north-eastern coastline of Japan. Huge
tidal waves swept away cars, buses, ships, boats and even houses. Over 4
million buildings were damaged, electricity supply cut and drinking water pipes
were destroyed. Such huge was the impact of this natural disaster that Japans
nuclear power plants were shut down so as to prevent any radiation leakage.
The earthquake destroyed the Japanese economy. A calamity of such
tremendous proportions requires disaster management of the highest level. And
in such a case, the authorities are as helpless as the citizens themselves.
Japan was highly well equipped to fight such earthquakes. It is being said that if
such quake would have struck any other south asian country which wasn't as
equipped as Japan, the aftermath of earthquake would have been catastrophic.
The most important priority in managing the after effects of such a huge
tragedy would be to find people who are alive and stuck in destroyed debris. The
authorities along with international support, armed forces and with the help of
civilians considered rescue operations as the top most priority. Evacuation of
people living in precarious areas should also be undertaken so as to prevent
further loss of lives.
Another priority and challenge would be to provide food, drinking water and
shelter to millions who have become homeless by this devastation. With the help
of international aid, help from armed forces and surrounding areas, it would be
the responsibility of not only the Government but of every individual to help in
tackling this catastrophe. Also, providing medication to the injured and avoiding
the spread of an epidemic would require tremendous efforts from the disaster
management teams. Communication systems, electricity and power supply are
another set of major issues which need to be tackled simultaneously.
Restoring infrastructure, making roads, getting businesses are minor issues as
compared to human life. Due to this calamity financial losses may reach figures
of a billion dollars, but restoring normal life would be the biggest challenge
facing the government and disaster management teams.

An earthquake of magnitude 9.00 on the Richter scale struck seabed off the
Sumatra Coast, Indonesia at 6.28 AM on 26.12.2004. The resultant seismic giant
sea wave (Tsunami) battered the coast of South India. These giant sea waves
ravaged the coastline of Tamil Nadu ferociously on 26.12.2004 at 8.30 A.M. The
people living in villages and towns all along the coastline were affected. The
magnitude of damages the in coastal districts was very severe.

Immediately the entire State machinery has been pressed into service for
search, rescue and relief operations. Despite the total shock and suddenness of
the event with no forewarning, whatsoever, the entire administrative machinery
in the affected coastal districts plunged into the immediate task of search and
rescue operations with utmost commitment and dedication. This extraordinary
effort taken up by the Government enabled to relocate all the affected families to
safer places, and provide them immediately, food, shelter and medical aid in
relief camps. Simultaneously, search and rescue operations were also
undertaken on a war footing.
The Government took immediate action to get the details of loss of life, damage
to houses, loss of cattle, persons injured, persons affected, no. of people
evacuated to safer places, number of relief centers opened, no. of families
accommodated in the relief centres and details about affected boats, fishing
nets, damages etc. Due to this major disaster from the Collectors and allotted
funds to the Collectors for speedy implementation of the relief measures and the
progress in relief work were also made. Voluntary organisations, private
organisations and the State Governments came forward to donate relief
materials on a large scale for the tsunami affected people. Action was taken to
receive those relief materials, store them and send them to the areas, which
required them.
The fishermen community was the worst affected by the sudden tsunami. They
were devastated not only by losing their homes, possessions, livelihood but also
their lifeline viz., catamarans, mechanized boats, fishing nets (both trawl and gill
nets) in the onslaught caused by tsunami. The people living in the affected
areas viz., farmers, workers in salt pan, petty traders, craftsmen engaged in
boats and net repairs and the people connected with coastal economy lost their
houses, small business centres, cattle and possessions. In many places,
seawater entered the agricultural lands causing damages to crops besides
causing sea water seeping the soil pores. In some places, the marauding
seawater dumped the sand and debris in the agricultural lands causing heavy
sand cast in the agricultural lands. There was widespread damage to public

buildings and community infrastructure such as public distribution system

shops, hospitals, schools, etc. Due to the havoc caused by tsunami in 13 coastal
districts on 26.12.2004, 373 villages were affected. Further, there were 8036
human loss and 16519 cattle loss. 3136 persons suffered grievous injuries.