In December of 2004, I survived the 2004 Tsunami.

Arjune’s Tsunami Story in the News

About the 2004 Tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, occurred on December 26, 2004. It was triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1–9.3, was one of the strongest ever recorded. It caused the seafloor to uplift, displacing an enormous volume of water and generating a series of powerful tsunami waves.

These waves radiated across the Indian Ocean at high speeds, reaching the coasts of 14 countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives. The tsunami struck with little to no warning, causing widespread devastation. Coastal communities were particularly hard-hit, with waves reaching heights of up to 30 meters in some places.

The disaster resulted in an estimated 230,000 to 280,000 deaths, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. It also displaced millions of people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and the environment. The 2004 tsunami prompted a global humanitarian response and led to significant developments in tsunami warning systems, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.