Andaman And Nicobar Islands: Natural calamities
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents
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Cyclones
A backgrounder
Worst affected months
Cyclones normally form during the pre-monsoon months over the north Indian Ocean between April and May
New Delhi: Between 1891 and 2020, only eight cyclones have been formed in March, including two in the Arabian Sea and six in the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. Of the eight, six dissipated over sea and one crossed the Tamil Nadu coast as a cyclonic storm in 1926. Another crossed Sri Lanka in 1907.
Cyclones normally form during the pre-monsoon months over the north Indian Ocean between April and May. “Climatologically March is not cyclone season. It is April and May. The ocean is cooler in March and solar insolation is not very high. In March, westerly systems are predominant in the northern parts of the country and easterly waves are predominant over the Peninsular region,” said an IMD official.
2013 Oct
Deep depression over Bay of Bengal turns into Cyclone Phailin, eastern coastline put on alert
Press Trust of India | Wednesday October 9, 2013
After crossing North Andaman Islands, the deep depression over east central Bay of Bengal tonight intensified into cyclonic storm Phailin, while remaining practically stationary at about 950 km from Paradip, the IMD said in its latest bulletin.
2013 Nov: Lehar
Four Port Blair-bound flights from Chennai cancelled as Cyclone Lehar hits Andaman
Press Trust of India | Monday November 25, 2013
Four Port Blair-bound flights from Chennai were cancelled today following inclement weather in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, airport sources said.
2014: Hudhud
Cyclone Hudhud Heads for Odisha, After Battering Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Agencies | Wednesday October 8, 2014
A cyclone heading for the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha gathered strength on Wednesday, uprooting trees, triggering landslides and snapping power and phone links as it crossed the Andaman and Nicobar islands, government officials said.
2016 May
Monsoon Hits Andaman And Nicobar, But Cyclone Will Weaken Its Progress
Press Trust of India | Friday May 20, 2016
Southwest monsoon has hit the Andaman and Nicobar island two days before its normal date, but a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal is likely to "weaken" its progress, which will result in delay of its onset in Kerala.
2016 Oct
Depression In Bay Of Bengal To Bring Rainfall In Andaman: Weather Office
Press Trust of India | Friday October 21, 2016
A depression in the Bay of Bengal will bring rainfall over the Andaman Islands in the next two days, even as the development is most likely to intensify into a "cyclonic storm", India Meteorological Department orIMD said today.
2016 Dec: Vardah
Cyclone 'Vardah' May Intensify In The Andaman Islands Today
Press Trust of India | Friday December 9, 2016
Cyclone 'Vardah' which is near the Andaman Islands is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone tomorrow morning, officials said.
All 2,376 Stranded Tourists Evacuated From Andaman Islands
Press Trust of India | Saturday December 10, 2016
A fleet of seven ships and six helicopters evacuated all 2,376 tourists, including several foreign nationals, stranded in two islands of the Andamans due to cyclonic weather since December 5, officials said on Friday.
2016: "Vardah"
The Hindu, December 9, 2016
Sanjib Kumar Roy
Cyclonic storm Vardah brought normal life in a standstill in Andamans
Tourists still stranded as Havelock island remains unreachable
Havelock island remained unreachable for the second day on Thursday as the depression over the Andaman Sea intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Vardah’. Two passenger vessels of the Andaman Shipping Services, MV Rani Lakshmi and MV Kamorta, were sent to Havelock to evacuate nearly 1,100 tourists, but both the vessels had to return to Port Blair because of high waves in the sea.
Later, cargo vessel MV Badam was also sent to Havelock with supplies and medicines but had to return because of bad weather conditions. Sources said there were efforts to send Coast Guard vessels to Havelock to evacuate the tourists but bad weather put paid to this as well.
Impact
Locals extend help
Vessels of the Indian Navy, which had been sent to Havelock, were called back considering their safety at sea in the high waves.
Meanwhile, the local administration directed hotel and restaurant owners to help tourists by extending their bookings and by providing free food, whenever possible. While nearly 1,100 tourists are stranded at Havelock and 400 tourists continue to be stranded at Neil island, tourists stuck in the Port Blair area complained about poor coordination from the Tourism Department and lack of awareness about helpline centres for tourists.
They also complained of problems in extending bookings in hotels. In a video statement, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Jagdish Mukhi today claimed, “All tourists are safe. They could not be brought back to Port Blair only [upon] considering their safety.”
Landslides
Cyclone Vardah played havoc in many remote Islands, bringing normal life to a standstill. In the north and middle Andaman region, various islands like Diglipur, Rangat and Billyground witnessed a flood-like situation because of very heavy rainfall.
The movement of vehicles on the Andaman Trunk Road was disrupted in various places in middle and north Andaman due to flooding in low-lying areas. There were reports of landslides along the Andaman Trunk Road. The cyclone blew away roofs of several dozen houses and damaged crops in north and middle Andaman. Snapping of power cables has left many areas without power for more than two days.
The Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Udit Prakash Rai, said the administration would compensate those who had suffered loss because of the weather conditions.
The administration has suspended helicopter and shipping services. Some flights landed at Port Blair while many others were cancelled. The airport witnessed frayed tempers when SpiceJet cancelled its flight after passengers had boarded the aircraft.
2019 Jan: Pabu
After Cyclone Pabuk Warning In Andamans, 7 Odisha Districts Put On Alert
India News | Edited by Richa Taneja | Friday January 4, 2019
The collectors of seven Odisha districts - Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Ganjam and Khurda - have been asked to stay alert.
2019, Nov
Depression Over Bay Of Bengal Likely To Intensify Into Cyclonic Storm: IMD
India News | ANI | Tuesday November 5, 2019
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar on Tuesday predicted that a depression over east-central and adjoining the southeast Bay of Bengal and north the Andaman Sea moved westwards and it is likely to intensify into a deep depression in the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm over the next 24 hours.
2021 March: Yaas
"Ensure Medical Supplies Stocks": Centre To States Bracing For Cyclone Yaas
India News | Press Trust of India | Friday May 21, 2021
The Centre has asked Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to ensure that health facilities are stocked with essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies in the wake of Cyclone Yaas.
2021 Nov
Odisha On Alert As Low Pressure Area Forms Over South Andaman Sea
India News | Press Trust of India | Monday November 29, 2021
With the IMD forecasting the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours and the possibility of its eventual build-up into a cyclone, the Odisha government on Sunday put all district collectors on alert
2022, March: Asani
Cyclone Asani: Rain, Strong Winds In Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Sunday March 20, 2022
Normal life in parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was affected on Sunday due to rain and strong winds because of Cyclone Asani, officials said.
Heavy Rain, Strong Winds In Andaman And Nicobar Today Ahead Of Cyclone Asani
India News | Asian News International | Monday March 21, 2022
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds on Monday as depression over the Bay of Bengal approaches towards North, said India Meteorological Department Scientist RK Janamani.
Deep Depression In Andaman Sea Unlikely To Become Cyclonic Storm: Forecast
Press Trust of India | Tuesday March 22, 2022
The deep depression over north Andaman Sea is unlikely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and is expected to cross the south Myanmar coast at Thandwe with relatively less ferocity than expected earlier, the weather department said today.
2022, May: Asani
East Coast Braces For Cyclone, Odisha On Alert
Press Trust of IndiaUpdated: May 07, 2022 11:38 am IST
Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area that has developed over the South Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and make its way to the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha shores early next week, officials said.
The weather system over the South Andaman Sea and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is very likely to move north-westwards and strengthen into a depression by Saturday, the Met Department said.
"It is also noticed that people usually come out of their houses to collect mangoes, coconuts and other fruits during a cyclone. It could cause danger to one's life," the Met added.
2023: Mocha
Cyclone Mocha: Heavy Rains Likely In Andaman And Nicobar Islands, Advisory Issued
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has already issued alerts and public advisories due to the cyclonic circulation over Bay of Bengal.
Press Trust of IndiaUpdated: May 10, 2023
Port Blair: The Cyclonic circulation over Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved towards west-northwest direction and intensified into deep depression, which is nearly 540 KM away from west-southwest of Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Wednesday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which is closely monitoring the cyclonic storm, further claimed that the deep depression is 1460 KM south-southwest of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and 1350 KM south-southwest of Sittwe in Myanmar. Fishermen of Andaman and Nicobar coasts have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 13.
Due to the cyclonic weather and keep in view about the safety of passengers and vessels, the Directorate of Shipping Services in Port Blair has issued a notification which reads, "It has been informed that Foreshore Sector and Harbour/Vehicle ferry services at Port Blair and out stations may get disrupted/suspended in short notice depending upon the weather condition. Therefore, the passengers, daily commuters and tourists have been advised to plan their journey suitably to avoid any inconvenience."
Earthquakes
1881- 2010
Sreevalsa Kolathayar
[1]
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Major Earthquakes, 1881- 2010, (M w > 6:5) That Occurred in and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
PAST AND PRESENT SEISMICITY
The region of the A&N islands has experienced several large-magnitude earthquakes
in recent history. These were mainly thrust earthquakes, such as those in 1847, 1881, and
1941, which appear to have occurred in this region Rajendran et al. 2003, Bilham et al.
2005 . Recent global plate reconstruction data suggest that the northeast-moving Indian
plate converges obliquely at 54 mm/yr with respect to the Eurasian plate DeMets et al.
The GPS observations between Bangalore and Port Blair the capital of the A&N islands suggest that the Indian plate is approaching the Burma plate at a rate of 15.3±3 mm/yr DeMets et al. 1994, Paul et al. 2001, Ortiz and Bilham 2003 . The GPS measurements suggest that great earthquakes with slip that is similar to the 2004 event cannot occur more frequently than once every 1,000 years; a shorter recurrence interval of 400 years has been calculated for the epicentral region, where convergence rates are higher Bilham et al. 2005 .
The seismicity of the A&N region is marked by several small-, moderate-, and largemagnitude earthquakes with M=4–8. Most of the earthquakes in this region show thrust and strike-slip faulting associated with oblique subduction of the Indian plate, along with some faulting associated with extensional stresses in the northern Andaman Sea Eguchi et al. 1979 . Several reports and other published data suggest that some of the events that occurred in the vicinity of the A&N island chain were as shallow as 10 km or less, and some were deeper than 250 km e.g., Mukhopadhyay 1984, Eguchi et al. 1979, Banghar 1987, Ortiz and Bilham 2003, Kayal et al. 2004, GSI 2003 . These earthquakes were mostly concentrated on the east and west of the islands along the trench and along the spreading center, respectively, barring some on the mainland. The shallow-tointermediate thrust earthquakes are the result of the Indian plate thrusting under the Burma microplate, along with several events showing a prominent strike-slip mechanism with some component of thrust inferred to be associated with oblique subduction between the Indian plate and the Burma plate Banghar 1987 . The normal faulting events associated with shallower depth are the result of the bending of the plate below the island arc Banghar 1987 . It has also been noted that the focal depth decreases as a function of latitude from south to north.
1941
Introduction
The earthquake of June 26, 1941 was one of the strongest in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands of India. The quake generated a tsunami in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal which was particularly destructive along the east coast of India.
Date and Origin Time: June 26, 1941, at 11:52:03 UTC (5)
Epicenter : 12.50 North, 92.57 East.
Earthquake Location: About 20.5 kms W of Flat Island, 23.6 kms WNW of Yadita (Middle Andaman Island Group), 96.7 kms NNW of Port Blair (South Andaman Islands), 617 kms SW of Yangon, Myanmar, and 834 kms NNW of Banda Aceh (Sumatra), Indonesia.
Earthquake Focal Depth - Shallow.
Magnitude: Originally the magnitude was estimated as Moment Magnitude, Mw 7.7M. However, based on the earthquake's long rupture, a Mw 8.1 was subsequently assigned to this event.
Aftershocks: In the hours following the major earthquake, a series of powerful aftershocks struck the region. Two magnitude 6.0 events struck within 24 hours of the main shock on June 27th, 1941. The first major afteshock occurred at 07:32:47 UTC and was followed by another at 08:32:19 UTC. There were 14 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 - up to January 1942.
Felt Reports: Strong ground motions were felt throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Island groups. Highest intensities were experienced at Baratang Island, Shoal Bay Creek - north of Port Blair - and near Port Anson. Also, the quake was strongly felt over a large geographical region in the Bay of Bengal - particularly from the eastern coast of India (Coromandel ) to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In Madras (Chennai), two strong tremors were felt, mostly by people in tall buildings. The first of these tremors lasted 2 seconds and the second 15 seconds. Two shocks were experienced also at Vishakhapatnam within a two-minute period. The earthquake was strongly felt in Calcutta ("Kolkata"), Chandernagar and Cuttack. At Cuttack the strong motions reportedly lasted for about four minutes. In Colombo, Sri Lanka, and at Syhlet, Bangladesh, the strong ground motions were felt for a few seconds.
Earthquake and Tsunami Damage and Death Toll: No detailed records are available from the Andaman and Nicobar islands - which were under Japanese occupation at that time. However, the death toll on the islands is estimated at over 3,000 and there is no specific record on the death toll and damage caused by the tsunami. Extensive eartquake damage occurred primarily on the Middle and South Andaman Islands. Most of the masonry structures in and around Port Blair were badly affected. The earthquake destroyed Cellular Jail - a three-story building - and all buildings on Ross Island, the administrative center of the British government.
2004 tsunami and After
Chandrima Banerjee, December 29, 2020: The Times of India
An earthquake with 10-minute-long waves is quite unusual. Many like it, in quick succession, even more so. But beneath the Andaman Sea near Nicobar, the 2004 earthquake and tsunami has set off a series of intermittent earthquake swarms that also indicate simmering volcanic activity. Scientists at the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography in Goa on the research ship RV Sindhu Sankalp conducted a passive ocean bottom seismometer experiment for the first time in Indian waters.
They found 141 high-frequency earthquakes and swarms (bursts of quakes with a short period of time, ranging from hours to days) in areas where three faults — the Andaman Nicobar Fault, the West Andaman Fault and strands of the Great Sumatra Fault — meet.
Major swarms had occurred in the off Nicobar region in the Andaman Sea over five different periods — in January 2005, March 2014, October 2014, November 2015 and March 2019 — their study, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports this month, said.
They were really long. “The March 2014 swarm, for instance, had lasted 48 hours,” lead author Aswini KK told TOI. The swarm in January 2005 was the strongest ever recorded globally. Some earthquakes in 2014 had long period signals, like the 600-second signal they got. “This is rare and suggests the origin of the seismic waves is deep seated, located at a depth in the subsurface, about 30km below the seafloor,” corresponding author Kamesh Raju said. “At that depth, we expect magma at work.”
So while the December 2004 “tsunamigenic megathrust earthquake” itself was a reason, the active volcanism in the area has also been causing some shifts.
Does it mean an eruption might be in the offing? “The studies over the submarine volcanic chain that extends from Barren Island in the north to the onshore volcanoes of Sumatra would provide insights to answer the above question,” Raju said.
2004: Further details
The 26 December 2004 earthquake occurred along the subduction plate boundary
between the Indian plate and the Burma micro plate of the Eurasian plate. Because of
the seismic activity in the region, the Indian seismic zone map Figure 2 has placed the
A&N islands in seismic zone V, the most severe one in the country. The location of the
main shock was 200 km SSE of the nearest island Great Nicobar Island, about
1,000 km SSE from Port Blair, and about 1,800 km SE of Chennai formerly known as
Madras. The main shock and aftershocks suggest that the rupture extended over about
1,300 km of the Sunda and Andaman arc USGS 2005. The large amount of energy
released during this event caused high-intensity ground shaking at several locations
along the land masses adjoining this arc. However, a preliminary estimate of the maximum intensity of shaking on the MSK scale sustained in India is only about VII along
the A&N islands and about V along the east coast of mainland India. The digital strongmotion instrument installed at Port Blair by the India Meteorological Department failed
to record the main event. The intensity of ground shaking in Port Blair was placed at
VI–VII on the MSK scale Jain et al. 2005. For shaking intensity VII, the average peak
ground acceleration is generally about 0.1 g. Analysis of a collapsed RC bicycle and
motor scooter shelter also indicates that the peak ground acceleration in Port Blair during the earthquake was about 0.1 g Kaushik and Jain 2006.
The distribution of tsunami-induced damage along the A&N islands followed the general trend of more damage in the islands closer to the epicenter and less damage in those farther away. Persons interviewed at Port Blair recall that the water receded before the first wave, and the third wave came with the greatest height and caused maximum devastation. However, persons at locations far south of Port Blair, namely at Hut Bay, Malacca, and Campbell Bay, mention that the water level rose by about 1–2 m from the normal sea level and remained there before the giant wave lashed the entire built environment. Eyewitnesses recall that the tallest of the giant waves was about 5 m high at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island, about 8 m at Malacca in Car Nicobar Island and at Hut Bay in Little Andaman Island, and about 4.5 m at Port Blair in South Andaman Island; these wave heights were also corroborated by field measurements by various agencies DST 2005 Figure 3. The partial shielding of the coastline at Campbell Bay and significant shielding of Port Blair and Campbell Bay by the steep mountainous outcrops from the direct tsunami waves originating from Sumatra may have contributed to the reduced wave heights at these locations. However, the open terrain along the eastern coast of the islands at Malacca and Hut Bay is seen as a reason for the large height of the tsunami waves.
2009
August 11
Strong earthquake hits Andaman islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Tuesday August 11, 2009
A strong earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit the whole of Andaman islands early Tuesday morning.
2010
March 31
Quake of magnitude 6.4 hits Andaman Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday March 31, 2010
An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 hit the Andaman Islands on Tuesday night. Mild tremors were also felt in Chennai and some parts of Orissa.
June 13
Earthquake hits Nicobar islands, no damage reported
India News | NDTV Correspondent | Sunday June 13, 2010
A blackout in the capital, Port Blair, created panic last night but the situation soon came under control.
2015
November 9
8 Earthquakes Jolt Andaman & Nicobar Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Monday November 9, 2015
Eight earthquakes, including two major ones, struck the Andaman and Nicobar islands in a span of eight hours on Sunday, with each measuring around five or more on the Richter Scale, but there was no tsunami alert.
November 9
12 Earthquakes Jolt Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 24 Hours
India News | Press Trust of India | Monday November 9, 2015
The sea around the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago has witnessed 12 earthquakes in 24 hours, with almost all measuring 5 and more on the Richter scale, however, no tsunami alert has been issued.
2016
May 9
5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Monday May 9, 2016
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands tonight and there were no immediate reports of loss of life or property.
2017
March 14
5.9-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Tuesday March 14, 2017
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago today.
2018
August 24
5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman Islands
India News | Indo-Asian News Service | Friday August 24, 2018
An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Andaman Islands on Friday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
2019
April 1
Andaman And Nicobar Islands Hit By 9 Earthquakes In 2 Hours
World News | Press Trust of India | Monday April 1, 2019
Nine medium intensity earthquakes, with a magnitude ranging from 4.7 to 5.2, hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Monday morning, all in a span of two hours, according to the National Centre for Seismology.
April 2
20 Tremors Hit Andaman And Nicobar Islands In 11 Hours
India News | Press Trust of India | Tuesday April 2, 2019
Twenty medium intensity earthquakes hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands in a span of 11 hours on Monday, according to the National Centre for Seismology.
May 22
Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday May 22, 2019
A medium intensity earthquake of magnitude 5.8 hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands on Wednesday morning
2021
February 15
4.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Andaman And Nicobar Island
India News | NDTV News Desk | Monday February 15, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 was reported near Portblair in Andaman and Nicobar island on Monday evening, according to India's National Center for Seismolog
April 22
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar
India News | NDTV News Desk | Thursday April 22, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 was reported near Portblair in Andaman and Nicobar island on Thursday morning, according to India's National Center for Seismology.
August 3
Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Near Andaman and Nicobar Island
India News | Reuters | Tuesday August 3, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck about 310 km (190 miles) south southeast of Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar island, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Tuesday.
September 25
Earthquake Of 5.2 Magnitude Strikes Andaman & Nicobar
India News | Asian News International | Saturday September 25, 2021
Andaman and Nicobar Earthquake: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 on the Richter scale struck near Campbell Bay in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Friday night, as per the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
October 27
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | NDTV News Desk | Wednesday October 27, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 was reported near Diglipur in Andaman and Nicobar island on Wednesday morning, according to India's National Center for Seismology.
November 8
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Asian News International | Monday November 8, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 jolted Southeast of Port Blair in the early hours of Monday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) informed.
December 29
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Asian News International | Wednesday December 29, 2021
An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale jolted the Southeast of Andoman and Nicobar Islands' Portblair in the early hours of Wednesday, said the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
2022
April 6
Earthquake Of Magnitude 4.4 Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | NDTV News Desk | Wednesday April 6, 2022
An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 was reported near Campbell Bay in Andaman and Nicobar island on Wednesday evening, according to National Center for Seismology.
April 10
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Asian News International | Sunday April 10, 2022
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter Scale, hit Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday morning, said the National Center for Seismology.
May 9
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman and Nicobar's Campbell Bay
India News | Asian News International | Monday May 9, 2022
An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 on the Richter scale hit Campbell Bay, Andaman and Nicobar island on Monday, said the National Center for Seismology.
June 21
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Asian News International | Tuesday June 21, 2022
An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale occurred 183 km southwest of Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, informed the National Center for Seismology (NCS) on Tuesday
2023
April 9
Earthquakes Of Magnitude 5.3, 4.1 Strike Nicobar Island
India News | Asian News International | Sunday April 9, 2023
A second earthquake of magnitude 5.3 on the Ritcher scale occurred at a depth of 10 km, Nicobar Island on Sunday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
ANI/ Two earthquakes of magniture 5.3 and 4.1 hit Nicobar Island/ April 09, 2023/ The Hindu
The earthquake occurred at around 2.59 p.m., according to the National Centre for Seismology/ A second earthquake of magnitude 5.3 on the Ritcher scale occurred at a depth of 10 km, Nicobar Island on April 9, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The earthquake occurred at around 4:01 pm.
“Earthquake of Magnitude:5.3, Occurred on 09-04-2023, 16:01:21 IST, Lat: 9.01 & Long: 94.03, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Nicobar Islands, for more information Download the BhooKamp App,” tweeted NCS.
A few hours ago, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 on the Ritcher scale occurred at a depth of 10 km, Nicobar Island. The earthquake occurred at around 2.59 pm.
April 13
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman And Nicobar Islands
India News | Asian News International | Thursday April 13, 2023
An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 on the Richter Scale struck Campbell Bay in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday, informed National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
July 29
Andaman and Nicobar: An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 jolted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported. The quake hit the islands at 12:53 am on Saturday. Further, according to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 69 km.
The distribution of earthquake events
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Distribution of earthquake events
Tsunami: 2004
Briefly
Suresh R Dash [3]
Dec 31 2014
Shamsher Bahadur Singh Deol
With most settlements located around jetties, the waves left the islands devastated. The coconut was the only source of food and water to those stranded. It was the self-belief of the indigenous people that enabled their survival and recovery
Before the tsunami of 2004, Nicobar islands had a population of 50,000, with almost all Nicobari tribals bearing allegiance to the Church of North India. For this sparsely populated area, the 3,500 lives lost in the tsunami amounted to 7% of the population. In 2004, I was posted as inspector general of police of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The epicentre was only 150km from Indira Point and the intensity of the earthquake was 9.1 on the Richter Scale; compare that to the Latur quake, which registered at a mere 6.4. The Richter Scale is not linear but exponential, the intensity multiplying 33 times for readings between 8 and 9, and quakes cause disturbances in the ocean that can reach a speed of up to 450km an hour. On the surface of the water, there is barely a ripple, 20 cm to 70 cm high, imperceptible to boats and fishermen at sea, but its awesome power erupts on barriers it encounters.
An unhealthy dose of what is termed as the `Island Psyche' inflicts the inhabitants of the Andamans.This is a combination of isolation, hopelessness, uncertainty and boredom. Throw in depression, mental illness and alcoholism and the psyche becomes a debilitation.
This psyche is what contributed to the concentration of people and buildings around the jetty of each island. At least periodically, this enabled the inhabitants to feel connected to the outside world, if only to Port Blair, to see who was coming or leaving on the erratic steamer service, to see if vegetables, cooking gas or milk powder was now available. Constructed around the jetty were the generator plants, water supply systems, schools, dispensaries, revenue offices, police stations, markets, banks. It was as `downtown' as it could get. In less than 20 seconds, the third wave of the tsunami wiped out all of it, along with thousands of people.
Along with the disappearance of police weaponry, wireless equipment, revenue records and vehicles, survivors were left without medicines, educational certificates, driving licences, land titles, kitchen utensils, spectacles, and other necessities too numerous to list. It was as if life had to begin anew.
The tsunami stripped the islands off these laboriously-built jetties, boats, communication links, intraisland roads and public services.Four thousand hectares of land was permanently submerged and some islands tilted from one side to the other. One of the islands, Trinkat, is today split into three separate islands.
Only around 300 rotting and bloated bodies were located in the 10 days after the event. We were required to photograph each of them but this formality had to be abandoned as no facial features were discernible. Only one accurate identification was achieved -that of a policeman in uniform, complete with name tag. To prevent epidemics, the police had to carry out cremations on the spot. A battered vehicle was located, the petrol siphoned off and sprinkled on the body, which was then covered with plastic chairs, pieces of cloth and dry wood before a fire was ignited.
In the three non-tribal islands, Campbell Bay, Kachal and Hut Bay, we were vociferously accosted with impossible demands, hostile sloganshouting and breast-beating. Even at Port Blair on December 26, I had to unsheath my revolver to control strident, almost violent tourists from the mainland who had surrounded the car of the Lieutenant Governor. To blame God or nature for the tsunami gives us nothing to rail at; we want a personification of our oppressor to vent our hate upon.
In sharp contrast, the Nicobarese were, without exception, dignified and disciplined. When we first visited their village, the survivors would be sitting neatly in rows on the ground. Women would cry with muted sobs, but no man would break down. The captain of the village was the only person to speak on their behalf, handing over a list of the two or three dead and the more than 200 missing. Nicobarese bestow names on their children with complete freedom. The list of the unfortunates included Alexander the Great, Sehwag, Cassius Clay, Ravi Shastri, Cleopatra, Vivian Richards, Josephine, Maradona, Sachin Tendulkar, Pele and Napoleon Bonaparte. So many dreams shattered.
Not used to dealing with money, they were bewildered by the vast amounts of compensation given to them. Upscale cars and motorcycles were purchased without consideration of maintenance and fuel costs. Money was loaned to friends, donated to clan members and invested with deceitful merchants. In the tribal areas where alcohol is forbidden by law, a bottle of rum was being sold for Rs2,000. Like the tsunami waves, the money came and went.
The media showed a dogged interest in only one aspect -the casualty figures. On the fifth day I went out on a limb to say that according to what I had seen and from reports received, approximately 5,000 citizens were dead, missing or injured. The home ministry, right up to the very top, was livid! Who did I think I was? On what basis was I giving out such wild and exaggerated figures? How many bodies had the police located? The answer at that stage was seven. I was therefore to retract my statement forthwith and correctly state that only seven persons had died and report compliance.
By this time, I was also livid. Who else but the inspector general of the Andaman and Nicobar police was most qualified to assess the numbers? I suggested that the ministry should overrule me and announce their own estimates. That was the end of that. Eventually the government started to pay some attention to our islands.
However much the government lauded its own relief efforts subsequently , it is the humble coconut that supplied food and water to those stranded till help could reach them. More crucially the self-reliance, and the self-belief, of the Nicobari people was the greatest factor in their survival and recovery.
See also
See also
Andaman And Nicobar Islands: Natural calamities
Cyclonic winds, cyclones: South Asia
Storms (dust-, hail-, rain-, thunder-): India
... and also
Andaman And Nicobar Islands: Fauna
Andaman And Nicobar Islands: Flora
Andaman And Nicobar Islands: Natural calamities
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Parliamentary elections
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Tribes
Census India 1931: The Population Problem in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
