Precautions for tsunami

 Tsunami

The term "tsunami" has been coined from Japanese words 'tsu' meaning harbour and 'name' meaning waves. Tsunamis are huge waves generated by earthquake, volcanic eruptions or under water landslides which devastate the coastal communities. Tsunami caused by nearby earthquakes can reach coast within a minutes. When the waves enter shallow water, they may rise several feets or in rare cases , tens of feet, striking the coast with a devastating force. The tsunami danger period can continue upto many hours after a Major earthquake.

     

What to do before tsunami?

• Find out if your home, school,work place or frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard prone areas.
• Plan excavation routes from your home,school,workplace or other place which can be safe place.
• Have a disaster supplies ready at your hand.
• Discuss about tsunami with your family members.

Detecting tsunamis

 With the use of satellite technology , it is possible to provide nearly immediate warning of potentially tsunamigenic earthquakes. Warning time depends upon the distance of the epicenter from coast line. 

       Coastal tidal guages can stop tsunamis close to the shore, but they are useless in deep oceans. Tsunami detectors, linked to land by submarine cables, are deployed 50 odd kms out at sea. 'Tsunameters' transmit warnings of buoys on the sea surface, which relay it to satellites. 

    

                       Tsunameters

What to do during tsunami?

• If  you are at home and hear a tsunami warning, you should make sure your entire family is aware of warning. Your family should evacuate the house if live in tsunami prone area. Evacuate to a safe elevated area and move in an orderly, calm manner to evacuation site.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. Having supplies will make you more comfortable during the evacuation.
• If you are at beach or near the shore and you feel the earth shake, move immediately to higher ground, do not wait for tsunami warning. Stay away from rivers and streams that lead to the oceans
• High multi-storey, reinforced concrete buildings (like hotels etc .) are located in low-lying coastal areas. The upper floors of these buildings can provide safe place.

Staying away from low lying areas is the safest advice when there is tsunami warning.

 

What to do AFTER tsunami?

• Continue using a radio or television for updated emergency information. The tsunami may have damaged roads , bridges or other places may be unsafe.
• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons. If someone needs to be rescued, call professionals with the right equipment.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls . Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. 
• Stay outside of the building if water remains around it . Tsunami water, like floodwater causing buildings to sink, floors to crack, or walls to collapse .
• Wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut foot.
• Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings.
• Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to make sure that building is not in danger to collapse.
• Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into buildings with water. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Watch for loose plaster, dry wall and ceilings that could fall.
• Open the windows and doors to help dry the building.
• Shovel out mud before it solidifies.