Earthquake and Tsunamis Wreak Devastation in Indian Ocean Region

The loss of life, human suffering and damage to property caused by the earthquake and resulting tsunamis in the Indian Ocean region on Dec 26 are still being fully assessed, even as aftershocks continue to hit some of the affected areas, especially the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Currently available reports put the confirmed death toll in India at 10151. However, given the fact that nearly 5628 people are reported missing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the figure could climb significantly. Tamil Nadu, with nearly 7968 reported dead, has suffered the most, the worst hit being Nagappattinam, accounting for 6051 deaths. The number of dead in the district of Kanniyakumari stood at 824 in Cuddalore at 612 and in Chennai city at 206. The neighbouring Union Territory of Pondicherry reported a loss of 591 lives, including 484 in Karaikal, an enclave surrounded by Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the number rose to 171 and in Andhra Pradesh to 105. 

Relief Efforts

The President has called for concerted action in the face of this enormous tragedy, saying, “Humane action should defeat the ferocity of nature”. Relief and rehabilitation efforts are already in full swing. The concerned state governments have begun the necessary relief programmes in the affected areas. The National Contingency Relief Fund has been augmented by nearly $115 million and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a relief of Rs one lakh (approx. $2300) from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each of those killed. He is also visiting the areas affected by the calamity. The Congress Party President, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, has also visited some of the worst affected areas. The Defence and Home Ministers have alerted the armed forces and paramilitary forces, who are already assisting in providing relief to all those who have been affected in the disaster. Both the Ministers are also visiting the affected areas. The Prime Minister has also deputed two of his Cabinet colleagues, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Minister for Communications & Information Technology, to survey the affected areas and co-ordinate relief and rescue efforts. The priority is on relief supplies, restoration of communications, repair of port facilities and evacuation in the Nicobar Islands and rehabilitation in the affected States and Union Territories. The Ministry of Defence has been advised to further step up airlifting and airdropping of relief material to the Nicobar Group of Islands.

The island of Car Nicobar has been the worst hit. Being a flat island, it was totally inundated.  The Armed Forces have already evacuated a number of people to safer areas. Three Indian Naval ships and two Coast Guard ships with relief material and medical team reached Campbell Bay by 28 Dec. A Specialist Team of the Central Industrial Security Force of 40 persons, who are also Medical First Responders, has already been deployed in Car Nicobar on 27 Dec. Another Specialist Team of 40 persons also trained as Medical First Respondent of the Indo Tibetan Border Police has also been airlifted on 28Dec. One Platoon of the Border Security Force has been airlifted for assisting in cremation and burial of dead bodies. The Ministry of Health has also deputed a five-member team consisting of physicians and public health experts on 27 Dec to the islands for emergency medical relief. One Indian Navy ship and one Coast Guard Ship have also left for Hut Bay. Two Dornier aircraft dropped food and water at Hut Bay and Camp Bell Bay.

Contributions

The Prime Minister has also issued an appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to help fund the relief and rehabilitation measures. Overseas contributions can be made by checks drawn in favour of the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and sent to the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate General. More detailed information on this is available elsewhere on this site.

Indian Assistance to Other Countries

In condolence messages to the President of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunge, the President of the Maldives, Mr. Mamoon Abdul Gayoom, the President of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, President Kalam has extended his sympathies to the families who have lost their near and dear ones.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has also expressed India’s willingness to provide any assistance required by these countries in the aftermath of this natural calamity and has announced an assistance package of over $22 million for Sri Lanka and over $2 million for Maldives. Indian relief and assistance efforts for Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives are already underway. Four Indian Naval Ships sailed to Colombo on 27 Dec carrying medical stores and relief material. Six MI-17 helicopters also moved to Colombo on 27 Dec for search and rescue and relief missions. One of the naval vessels - INS Sandhayak - is being converted into a hospital ship. The others are ferrying supplies, clearing the harbours and helping helicopter operations. 20 tonnes of relief material was airlifted on 29 Dec from Bangalore to Colombo. Two Ilyushin-76 aircraft carrying military field hospitals have also been dispatched to Sri Lanka.

For Maldives, nearly 28 tonnes of food packets have been airlifted to Male. Two aircraft have already landed there with food and water and have been retained there for further assistance to drop relief material collected locally. Three Indian Naval Ships carrying medicines, medical teams, water and water purification equipment, etc., moved from Mumbai to Male with two helicopters and relief stores. An Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft also transported a medical team, 1000 kilos of food provisions and medicines from Male to Kadhdaou Islands about 139 mile from Male on 27 December, 2004.

For Indonesia, hospital ship INS Nirupak is on its way for Sumatra. It is carrying emergency rations, medicines, tents and first aid kits. It has 10 officers and 240 sailors on board.

• Tsunami Damage Latest Situation

• The Aid Flood
  Wall Street Journal January 27, 2005

• India Takes Major Role In Sri Lanka Relief Effort; Aid Is Sign of Nation's Emergence as Regional Power 
  Washington Post January 20, 2005

• India holds to its self-reliance 
  Philadelphia Inquirer January 16, 2005 

• Thanks, but no thanks : Hindustan Times January 6, 2005

• Press Guidance on India's position on Tsunami relief assistance

• PM's letter of Thanks to Tsunami relief contributors

• Joint Media Briefing by Foreign Secretary Shri Shyam Saran and Vice Admiral Shri Raman Puri, Chief of Integrated Service Command 

• Remarks of MEA Spokesperson on Tsunami Core Group discussions

• World leaders call Prime Minister to express grief 

• Emergency Contact Numbers

• The Indian Relief Effort

• India, US, Japan and Australia form coordinating group to effect relief to Tsunami disaster areas

• Update on Indian casualties in Sri Lanka in Tsunami wave disaster

• Remarks of MEA Spokesperson on relief efforts in the wake of Tsunami  

• Government exempts associations from accepting foreign contribution for providing relief to Tsunami victims

• President's message to the nation

• Prime Minister's statement on earthquake impact

• Prime Minister appeals for contribution to National Relief Fund

• Prime Minister's National Relief Fund

• President's message to leaders of other affected countries

• Government's relief measures

• Control Room information

• Indian Assistance to other affected countries

• Tamil Nadu State Government

• Andaman and Nicobar Government

• Pondicherry Government

• Kerala State Government

• Andhra Pradesh State Government