World Tsunami Awareness Day

What is Tsunami?

A tsunami is a large wave or series of waves that is generated by sudden displacement of the seafloor, or any disturbance that shifts a large volume of water away from its normal position. Because tsunamis occur suddenly, often without warning, they are extremely dangerous to coastal communities

What causes tsunami?

A tsunami can be caused by an underwater strong and shallow earthquake, submarine landslide or submarine volcanic eruptions and from onshore volcanoes, or by cone collapse.

What are the effects?

  • Destruction and loss of live and property
  • Flooding
  • Diseases
  • Poverty and hunger
  • Disruption of communication and road network
  • Loss of income and business
  • Affects marine life
  • Poses health risks to communities’ example, likely to develop water borne diseases like diarrhoea, fever and malaria, typhoid
  • Destruction to conserved environment mangroves, traditional fasting places  

What are the signs?

  • A strong earthquake
  • Any unusual change in sea level (drop or rise
  • A strong sound

What to do:

BEFORE

  • Build homes and building of essential services (such as hospitals, shops, markets, etc) safely on hills or at least 300 to 500m inland away from shore
  • Identify escape routes, develop evacuation plans and rehearse the plans
  • Plan trees along the shores of the sea 
  • Make memorials to mark previous events as a reminder to communities
  • Awareness and education on tsunami hazards and other cross cutting issues like HIV&AIDS, gender, environment, health and hygiene

DURING

  • Stop everything you are doing
  • Move inland to higher ground; do not wait to  be Told
  • Follow escape routes; do not wait until you see the waves
  • Stay inland until advised to return by authorities.
  • Stay away from the shores

AFTER

  • Be aware, keep an ear open for a second or third  wave which could be on the way
  • Do not return until authorizes says its safe
  • Look for survivors
  • Raise alarms and assist those injured
  • Seek assistance from service providers for medical and psychosocial support.
  • Awareness and education on tsunami hazards and other cross cutting issues like HIV&AIDS, gender, environment, health and hygiene