Remembering the Tsunami: A Survivor’s Story from the Andaman Islands

As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami, a survivor recalls the harrowing events of that fateful day while aboard a ferry headed to Havelock Island, highlighting the profound devastation and loss experienced by the island community.

On December 26, 2004, a day that would forever be etched in history, a devastating tsunami struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, resulting from a powerful earthquake that registered 9.1 on the Richter scale off the coast of Sumatra. I was on a ferry, excitedly journeying towards Havelock Island, known for its stunning beaches. This trip was particularly special as I was visiting my college friend and her family, who had lived in Port Blair for over a decade.

Just as we set sail from the Phoenix Bay jetty, the boat jolted violently. I turned to see the jetty we had just boarded collapse spectacularly into the sea—a scene of chaos and disbelief. The crew quickly informed us that an earthquake had struck, an event that would soon lead to one of the most fatal tsunamis in recorded history.

The tsunami impacted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands just 15 minutes later, bringing forth waves as high as 15 meters. While the enormity of the disaster unfolded around us, we remained largely unaware due to the lack of connectivity on the boat and the absence of information about the islands, where communications had been severed. The initial death toll across the affected countries reached approximately 228,000, but for the Andaman Islands alone, with extensive damage reported, it was believed that over 7,000 lives were lost.

Upon returning to Port Blair, bizarre scenes awaited us—destruction marked the landscape, as buildings lay in ruins and boats were washed ashore, resembling toys forgotten in a storm. I encountered individuals traumatized by their losses, including a young girl who narrowly escaped drowning and a woman stripped of all her belongings within moments.

In the days that followed, I witnessed a monumental relief effort as military and rescue operations were mobilized across the islands. Thousands of survivors, many of whom escaped with nothing more than the clothes they wore, were brought to temporary shelters in Port Blair. Among them was a woman who described how the earth trembled beneath her feet as the tidal waves approached.

As I traveled to Car Nicobar, the devastation became more evident—homes obliterated, families scattered, and the haunting silence where laughter once echoed. The historical air force base was annihilated, taking with it the lives of many, including families of officers stationed there.

The tragedy of that day continues to linger in my mind. I often wonder how different my experience would have been had the earthquake struck minutes earlier, or what fate awaited us had we been waiting at the jetty instead of aboard the ferry. While I left with a story of survival, thousands were not as fortunate.

As we remember the events of that tragic day, it is vital to honor the lives lost and acknowledge the resilient spirit of those who endured the disaster and continue to rebuild their lives. The echoes of that tsunami serve as a reminder of nature's power and the fragility of human existence.