Chapter- 1

nceofTs n

A Tsunami (pronounced soo-nah-mee) like the one that

ravaged the coastal areas of South East Asia of 26
December 2004 is made up of a special sort of sea waves.
But. the tsun<\mis themselves are anything but simple.
UsuallY these waves are generated by earthQuakes occurring
in the ocean floor. These earthQuakes displace the water
column thereby creating a rise or fall in the sea level.
Tsunami is a Japanese word made up of two characters. Tsunamiis a Japanese word
tsu (meaning harbour) and nami (meaning wave). made up of two characters
Science of Tsunamis 1
 perman en
tly changed the map of Asia Unlike the normal ocea
as small
3
Indonesian islands have moved as much as 20 metres I waves, the tsunami
The fury of the waves even altered the c~astal m~p of waves have a very long
·
In d la,
as Indira Point - the southernmost
.,
tiP of
4
India - wavelength, often more
was washed out. shrinking the coastline Inland. than 100 km. These
It was the vertical movement of the sea floor caused by waves travel a deep
this tremendous Quake that proved catastrophic. The ocean with a speed of
shaking of the sea floor, with a tremendous jerk, triggered more than 800 km per
the angry seas to assume a fearful and monstrous form hour i.e., more than the
comprising powerful waves that travelled out of the area
speed of a jet plane.
of origin to brutal!>, crash on the coastlines of this region
unleashing terror never experienced before.

Recognizing a Tsunami
Tsunamis are often referred to as tidal waves but this is
incorrect. as tides occur due to the gravitational influences
All Nature's vagaries are pointers to the overwhelming Massive undersea of the Moon, Sun, and planets. Tsunamis are not generated
superiority of the power of Nature. For mankind, earthquake in the bed of by the tidess. However, a tsunami that strikes a coastal
controlling the violence of Nature is an unattainable by level
Indian Ocean gave birth area is influenced the tide at the time of impact.
dream, but what is sure!>' possible is to understand the
to mammoth tsunami Powerful undersea earthQuakes or seismic activiry most
scientific basis of the occurrence of natural disasters. common!>' generate tsunamis. Unlike the normal ocean
waves of 26 December
'l)}:K1,ow what turned the benevolent sea into a raging monster waves, the tsunami waves have a very long wavelength
that unleashed terror in the coastal areas of South East
2004.
(distance between the wave crests) - often more than 100
Asia in the ear!>' hours of 26 December 2004? km. These waves travel a deep ocean with a speed of more
than 800 km per hour Le., more than the speed of a jet
It was a massive undersea earthQuake in the bed of
plane. However, tsunamis are not always 'seismic sea
Indian Ocean that gave birth to mammoth
waves', as they may also be generated due to landslides,
tsunami waves. Measuring 9.0 on the Richter's scale,
volcanic eruptions, and rare!>' by the impact of a large
with its epicentre close to the northern tip of
meteorite falling in the ocean6. Most tsunamis occur in
Indonesia's Sumatra Island, this earthQuake shook this
the Pacific Ocean. However, destructive tsunamis have
region violent!>'. Indeed so violent was it that it even also been generated in the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans,
made the Earth wobble on its aXis!1 The enormous energy
the Mediterranean Sea and even within smaller bodies of
released soon circled around the globe. According to water, like the Sea of Marmara in Turkey.
the scientists from the Earth Sciences Research School
at the Australian National Universiry, our planet was Tectonic Plates
still "ringing like a bell" well over two weeks after the According to the Plate Tectonic Theory, the surface of the
initial catastrophe. According to the US National Earth is made up of a patchwork of massive rigid plates,
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). about 80 km thick, which float in slow motion on top of
this rare seismic event even shifted the Earth's mean North the Earth's hot, fleXible interior7. These plates change size
Pole, slightly altered the shape of the planet, and and position over time, as they are constant!>' moving at a
even slight!>, decreased the length of each day making speed of about I cm to 10 cm every year - rough!>, the rate
the Earth spin a little faster2• Yet another horrifjing at which fingernails grow! As these plates move, intense
impact of this earthQuake has been that it has ~ologic activiry occurs at the plate edges.
2 Tsunami
 The surface of the farth is made up
of a patchwork of massive rigid
tectonic plates, about 80 km thick,
which float in slow motion on top of
the farth's hot, flexible interior. These
plates change size and position over
time.

As some tectonic plates move away from each other, space

for new ocean noor is created. Some plates slide past
each other without causing much disturbance. However.
there are some plates moving towards each other. in a
potentiallY dangerous way as one plate may submerge
beneath the other. As the sides of two tectonic plates
The devastation caused on the Jndian shores by the tsunamis that hit the South
collide violentlY, enormous energy is released. It is this
collision that triggers the generation of tsunamis. This is
East Asian coastlines recently has proved that India is too on the vulnerability
exactlY what happens around the margins of the Pacific chart, though chances of such an onslaught are rare.
Ocean. where denser oceanic plates are known to slip
It is a horrifying fact that an average of two destructive
under continental plates. This process is known as
tsunamis occur per year in the Pacific basin. although
subduction and the area where the chances of occurrence
tsunamis can be generated in all the oceans and inland
of volcanoes and earthQ!.lakes are very high is called the
seas of the world. About 80% of all recorded earthQuakes
subduction zone8. The subduction earthQuakes are occur around the edge of the Pacific Plate. The Ring of
particularlY effective in generating tsunamis. Fire extends northward through Fiji. Papua New Guinea,
the Philippines, and lapan along the eastern coast of
As the tedonic plates
Russia. It also covers the region east to the southern edge
Ring of Fire of Alaska as well as the western coast of Canada. North
collide, separate, or slide
America and South America. Since India does not fall in
past one another, some
Circling the Pacific Basin, on the bottom of the seabed.
It is a horrifying fad that the Ring of Fire. the vulnerability of our country to plates gain while others
there lies a series of volcanic arcs and deep
ocean trenches. Called the 'Ring of Fire', this region
an average of two experience tsunamis was considered to be low. However. lose material at their
has a high occurrence of earthQuakes and
destrudive tsunamis occur the devastation caused on the Indian shores by the edges, which is why the
volcanic eruptions9. This region. also called the
per year in the Pacific tsunamis that hit the South East Asian coastlines recentlY plate boundaries change
circum-Pacific seismic belt. is home to over 75% of the
basin. has proved that India is too on the vulnerabiliry chart, over geologic time.
world's active and dormant volcanoes. though chances of such an onslaught are rare.
Birth of the Killer Waves on the Richter's scale. tilts and deforms large Tsunamis arrive at a
t han 7 .5 coastline as a series of
Tsunami waves may be generated because of certain f the sea floor ranging from a few kilometers to
areaS O successive crests (high
phenomena that include the following: even more than \.000 km. This sudden vertical
diSplacement over large ~reas grossly di~places the water levels) and troughs
Undersea Volcanic seawater.which under the Influence of gravlry. tends to (low water levels) that
Earthquakes regain its eQ].Jilibrium.It is this vertical movement of the normally occur 10 to 45
EarthQuakesusually entire water column that generates destructive tsunami minutes apart and have a
~
occur in regions of waves.As energy cannot be created or destroyed but can wavelength even more
be only transferred from one form to another (Law of
the Earth along than 500 km, which is
Conservation of Energy). the potential energy that results
tectonic plate many times greater than
from pushing water above mean sea level is transferred
boundaries called the ocean depth.
to kinetic energy that initiates the horizontal propagation
faults. where
different tecton ic of the tsunami waves.
plates meet. The
If the sea floor movement is horizontal. a tsunami is
chances of
usually not generated. Besides. not all undersea
occurrence of
earthQ].Jakescreate tsunamis. as it depends on the nature
earthQuakes are
and degree of displacement of the seawater column. It is
very high in these
onlY the vertical displacement of seawater due to abrupt.
regions due to the
jerky movement of fault blocks on the seabed that gives
collision of tectonic
birth to powerful tsunamis. Once formed. the monstrous
plates as these
waves soon begin their journey towards the nearest
plates are constantly moving past each other'o.
coastlines. ringing the bells of doom.
UnderstandablY. when two tectonic plates collide. a large
amount of the built-up stress is released.
Volcanic Eruptions
A tsunami can be actuallY generated by any disturbance
On the other hand. intraplate earthQuakes.which are less that displaces a large massof seawaterfrom its eQ!Jilibrium
than 10% of all earthQuakes. occur within the tectonic position. Violent volcanic eruptions. which cause sudden
plates in the more stable interiors of continents. far away displacement of a large volume of seawater. can also give
from plate boundaries". Although the cause of occurrence rise to destructive tsunami waves. Similarly. when the
of intraplate earthQuakes is not Quite clear. these are roof of a volcano collapses into a large empry magma
possiblY related to the driving forces of plate tectonics. chamber that is formed because all the lava has been
As the tectonic plates collide, separate. or slide past one thrown out. a crater sometimes as large as one kilometre
another. some plates gain while others lose material at in diameter is created. Now as seawater gushes into this
their edges. which is why the plate boundaries change crater. the water column of the sea is disturbed. This. in
over geologic time. If weakened former plate boundaries turn. gives rise to tsunami waves.
become part of the interiors of plates. stresses originating
at the edges of the plates or in the deeper crust may result Landslides
in intraplate earthQuakes. Tsunami waves are also generated due to displacement of
seawater resulting from rock falls. icefalls and sudden
The most destructive tsunamis are generated by massive landslides. For example. in the 1980s. construction work
undersea earthQuakes.occurring at a depth shallower than of an airport runway along the coast of Southern France.
50 km with an epicentre or fault line near or on the ocean triggered an underwater landslide. which generated
floor. Such an undersea earthQuake.of magnitude greater
6 Tsunami
destructive tsunami waves in the harbour of Thebes. Egypt.
underneath at high speeds. It may
Similar\)'. when massive earthQuakes occur, there are high
on\)' appear as a gentle rise and fall
chances of the occurrence of underwater landslides that Trough ~
of the sea surface. For example, the
may contribute to tsunami generation. These waves rapid\)'
Great 5anriku tsunami. which struck
travel away from the source due to dissipation of energy,
Honshu. lapan, on 15lune 1896, went
and create havoc along the nearby coastlines.
complete\)' undetected by fishermen
l4
as its deep-water height was on\)' about 40 cm . A
Impact of Meteorites and Asteroids
monster in disguise, this tsunami transformed into huge
The fall of meteorites or asteroids in the Earth's oceans
waves when it arrived on the shore and ravaged 275 km of
has the potential of generating dreadful tsunamis.
coastline killing 28.000 people. 50 from the sky, tsunami
Researchers in California. USA, have developed a
waves cannot be distinguished from ordinal)' ocean waves.
computer simulation depicting the ocean impact of the
But underneath. a tremendous well of energy lurks.
asteroid 1950 DA, a gigaritic space
rock. that would
be uncomfortab\)' close to Earth in 288012. Although the The speed of a shallow-water wave is eQual to the SQ].me

probability of such an impact is remote, the computer root of the product of the acceleration of gravity (9.8 m/

model does give researchers insight into the destructive sec2) and the depth of the water. In the Pacinc Ocean,

power of tsunamis that may be caused by near-Earth where the typical water depth is about 4000 m. tsunami
objects. Similar\)'. tsunami waves can also be generated waves travel at about 200 m/s or over 700 km/hr. As the
from vel)' large nuclear explosions. as the momentum from rate at which a wave loses its energy is inverse\)' related

falling debris is transferred to the water. to its wavelength, tsunamis not onlY propagate at high
speeds. they can also travel great. transoceanic distances
with limited energy losses.
On the Way To Spelling Disaster
A tsunami is made up of a series of very long waves, Now what happens as a powerful tsunami leaves the deep
which travel outwards on the surface of the ocean in all water of the open sea and enters the shallow waters of a
directions away from their site of origin. This could be coastline? The waves undergo a transformation. Since the
likened to the movement of ripples created by throwing speed of the tsunami is related to the water depth, the
speed of the tsunami diminishes with decrease in the depth
of a pebble into a pond. Tsunamis are different from wind- Tsunamis not only
generated waves. which normal\)' have time interval of of water and also due to friction. The speed of the roaring
propagate at high
5-20 seconds between two successive waves and a waves decreases to about 50-60 km/hr. Once a tsunami
speeds, they (an also
wavelength of about 100-200 m. Tsunamis arrive at a wave has reached the shore, successive waves stack up
travel great, transo(eani( onto each other forming a pile of waves due to
coastline as a series of successive crests (highwater levels)
distan(es with limited The most destrudive
and troughs (low water levels) that normal\)' occur 10 to which the tsunami waves get compressed near the coast.
energy losses. tsunamis are generated
45 minutes apart and have a wavelength even more than This results in shortening of their wavelength and the
wave energy is directed upwards, which makes the waves
by massive undersea
500 km, which is many times greater than the ocean
13 grow in height. In other words. as the total energy of the
earthquakes, o((urring
depth . Therefore, Tsunami wave is characterized as a
tsunami remains constant. the height of these waves grows at a depth shallower
shallow-water wave, as the ratio between the water depth
and its wavelength is vel)' small. tremendouslY. This is also known as 'shoaling' dfect, as than
it transforms a seemingly harmless wave that was 50 km with an epi(entre
In the deep ocean. the amplitude of tsunami wave is imperceptible in deep water into an incredible wall.of or
normal\)' less than I m. As tsunamis are vel)' long waves water on the shore!3. So even if a tsunami wave may have fault line near or on the
haVing low amplitude. they cannot be seen or detected been just one meter or less in the deep ocean. it o(ean floor.
from the air. Therefore. passengers on boats cannot feel dramatical\)' grows into a mammoth 30-35 m wave when
or see the tsunami waves as the killer waves pa s by it sweeps over the shorel5. That is why tsunami waves

8 Tsunami
 Chapter- 2
smash into the shore with the devastating impact of a

History of Tsunami
water bomb.

The maximum height a tsunami reaches on shore is called

the run-up. In other words, it is the vertical distance
between the maximum height reached by the killer waves
on shore and the mean sea level surface. Generally, the
tsunami run-up over a meter is considered to be Quite
dangerous. After run-up, part of the tsunami energy is
dissipated back to the open ocean. In addition, a tsunami
can generate a particular type of wave called
'edge waves' that travel back-and forth, parallel to shore,

Small islands with steep slopes usually experience little

run-up. That is why islands with steep-sided fringing or
barrier reefs are at a moderate risk from tsunamis.
However, this is not the case for islands such as the
Hawaiian, which do not have extensive barrier reefs and
have broad bays exposed to the open ocean,

However, depending on the water depth and structural

configuration at the coast, the tsunamis waves may
undergo extensive refraction -a process that may
converge the energy of tsunamis waves to particular areas
on the shore. So on reaching the shore, the presence
The tsunamis that hit South East Asia on 26 December Tsunamis have devasted
of reefs, bays, slope of the beach and other undersea
features may modify the tsunamis. For example, it may
2004 following an earthQuake - the most powerful in coastal areas even in
turn into a bore - a step-like wave with a steep breaking
the last 40 years is only the most recent in along list of historical times, though
front - if the tsunami moves from deep water into a
tsunamis that have been documented over the ages I. The they are more common in
shallow bay or river.
massive tsunami in Indian Ocean that killed more than the Pacific, with its
280,000 people and made millions homeless in eleven earthquake-prone
countries including India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka when
Besides understanding the scientific prinCiples, which perimeter
it reached land. The scale of the damage was massive and
trigger the generation of tsunamis it is also possible today
to scientifically predict the occurrence of this impending the loss to life and property

disaster, thanks to the advanced technology on tsunami almost immesurable.

warning available with many countries, However, flipping However, though most
Indians have had no
through the pages of the past reveals a picture of mind-
previous experience of
numbing human tragedy,
tsunamis and little if any
conception about the havoc
the breaking waters bring,
the event is not wi thout
~obal precedent.
 1941, Indio 1765, Chino • Santorini -/650 B.C.: At some
5,000 killed I 0,000 killed time between 1650 BC and 1600 BC (still 'L.951
1908,
Ilaly debated). the volcanic Greek Island of
10,000 killed Santorini erupted. causing a 100 m to 150
m high tsunami that devastated the north
1755, coast of Crete.
lisbon
60,000 killed r. • Lisbon. Portugal - /755:
Thousands of coastal residents in Spain.
'X:. ';U
Portugal and North Africa who survived
1690, Virgin Is
the great 1755 Lisbon earthQuake. were
3,000 killed
killed by a tsunami which followed
minutes later. Many of them met their
1746, Peru death at the waterfront where they had fled, believing the
18,000 killed area to be safe from fires and from falling debris from
aftershocks.
• Krakatoa explosive eruption - /883: The island
1782, Taiwan volcano of Krakatoa. Indonesia erupted in 1883. blOWing
50,000 killed
out its underground magma thereby emp~ing the chamber.

Tsunami in the history
Tsunamis have devasted coastal areas even in historical
times. The earliest description of a tsunami-rype wave
comes from the northern part of the Aegean Sea in 479
B.C. Similar waves have been reported worldwide. though
they are more common in the Pacific. with its earthQuake-
prone perimeter.2
This led to a large part of the land and seabed collapsing
into the emp~ space. This collapse generated a series of
large tsunami waves with altitudes as high as 40 meters
above sea level. Tsunami waves were observed throughout
the Indian Ocean. the Pacific Ocean, the American West
Coast. South America. and even as far away as the English
Channel. On the facing coasts of lava and Sumatra. the
flood went many kilometers inland causing vast loss of
Harm done by a tsunami wave ta a
life.
railway track

Tsunamis in the Past 2.3-5.9

Although tsunamis occur most freQuentlY in the PaCific

Ocean. they are not
restricted to that area and
m'!Y occur anywhere. Some 1952
of the recorded tsunamis
are:
• 6/00 B.C. and
before: In the North Atlantic
Ocean. the Storegga Slides
were a major series of
sudden underwater land
movements over the course
of thousands of years.

• Pacific Tsunami - /946: The tsunami generated
by the Aleutian Island earthQuake led to about 8 meters
high waves which killed 165 people in Hawaii and Alaska.
As a result of this tsunami, the United States established
a Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii two years
later.
• Chilean Tsunami - /960: The tsunami generated
by the Great Chilean EarthQuake - recorded at 9.5 in
magnitude on the Richter scale - turned out to be the
most destructive tsunamis of the 20th century. with waves
measuring up to 25 meters high. More than 1000 people
in Chile. 61 in Hawaii and 199 in japan were killed by this
tsunami.
• Good Fridc!y Tsunami - /964: Generated by the
Good Friday earthQuake. the tsunami struck Alaska,
British, Columbia. California. and coastal Pacific
Northwest towns. The tsunami generated waves
measuring upto 6 m in length and left 122 people
dead.
Tsunamis in the
Asian Region 6
Though a very rare and relativelY unheard of
event, South Asian shores have been struck by
the tsunamis in the past. In the last 200 years,
at least seven tsunamis have been recorded in
the Indian Ocean. The following table lists
these:
• 1524: Near Dabhol. Maharashtra, India
• 2 April 1762: Arakan Coast. Myanmar
• 16 June 1819: Rann of Kachch. GUjrat, India
• 31 October 1847: Great
Nicobar Island, India
• 31 December 1881:
Car Nicobar Island. India
• 26 August 1883:
Krakatoa volcanic eruption.
Chennai. India
• 27 November 1945:
Mekran coast. Baluchistan.
Pakistan
India has had a few encounters with tsunamis in the past. Tsunamis have devasted
An earthquake of
But this is onlY to be expected. given that the approximate coastal areas even in
magnitude 8.1 occurred
in the Andaman Sea on
length of the Indian coast is about 6000 kilometers and historical times. The
the tsunamic earthQuakes occur mostlY at the Andaman earliest description of a
26 June, 1941 and a sea, area about 400-500 kilometers SSW of Sri Lanka
resulting tsunami hit the tsunami-type wave
and the Arabian sea about 70-100 kilometers south of comes from the northern
east coast of India. Pakistan coast-off Karachi and Baluchistan.
part of the Aegean Sea
At that time,
• The oldest record of an Indian tsunami is available in 479 B.C.
tide gauges were not in from reports of the 326 BC earthQuake near the Indus
operation so it was not deitalKutch region. It is said that the mighry Macedonian
possible to calculate the fleet of Alexander the Great was destroyed by the
accurate height of the earthQuakethat preceded the tsunami.
tsunami waves. • Another recorded tsunami reportedlY occurred
in 1883 at Chennai. It was born of the Krakatoa volcanic
explosion in Indonesia.
• An earthQuakeof magnitude 8.25 occurred about
70 kilometers south of Karachi (pakistan) in 1945. This
created a large tsunami with wavesabout 11.0 to 11.5meters
high. on the coasts of India in the Kutch region. Out of
the tsunamis mentioned above, the one that originated
off the Mekron coast in 1945 was the deadliest and killed
people in areas as far off as Mumbai. India.
• An earthQuake of magnitude 8.1 occurred in the
Andaman Sea on 26 june, 1941 and a resulting tsunami
hit the east coast of India. At that time. tide gauges were
not in operation so it was not possible to calculate the
accurate height of the tsunami waves. Mathematical
calculations suggest that the height could have been 1.0
meter. This earthQuake caused widespread damage in
Middle and South Andaman Islands. Tremors from the
earthQuakewere felt in cities along the Coromandel coast
of India and even in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tsunamis around the
world 2-5,7-9
Some more on record are:
• 1606/1607: A flood, possibly a tsunami.
around the coast of the Bristol Channel was responsible
for the drowning of the thousands of people. A large
number of houses and villages were swept awayand flocks
were destroyed by this flood that might have been a
tsunami. The cause of the flood remains disputed.
 • 1952: A strong earthQuake off the
1995, Mexico 1992, Nicaragus 1996, Indonesia 1994, Mindoro coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula
1 killed 170 killed 9 killed 49 killed generated a great. destructive Pacific-wide
tsunami. Its waves struck the Kamchatka
Peninsula, the Kuril Islands, and other
1993, Japan
239 killed areas of Russia's Far East. causing
considerable damage and loss of life. There
was also damage in Hawaii. Peru. and
1996, Jaya Chile.
161 killed
• 1957: An earthQuake measuring
8.3 occurred in the Aleutien Islands
1998, Guinea generating a tsunami. The tsunami travelled
2,200 killed 2,440 miles at a speed of 500 miles per
hour.
1996, Peru
12 killed
• 1958: A very localized tsunami
in Lituya Bay. Alaska was the highest ever
recorded. The waves were more than 500 m above sea
Tsunami in the 1990s level. It killed two people in a fishing vessel.

by • 1960: The largest earthQ!.Jake- magnitude 8.6

it is Quite possible that it was caused a combination of The island volcano of
meteorological extremes and tidal peaks. - of the 20th century occurred off the coast of south
Krakatoa, Indonesia
central Chile. It generated a Pacific-wide tsunami, which
• 1868: A massive wave struck Chile killing more
erupted in 1883, blowing was destructive locallY in Chile and throughout the Pacific
than 25000 people. The intensiry of the wave was such
out its underground Ocean. The tsunami killed an estimated 2,300 people in
that it carried ships as far as five kilometers inland. magma thereby emptying Chile. Waves damaged the waterfront in Hawaii. and killed
the chamber. This led to a 61 people.
• 1868: A locallY generated tsunami swept over large part of the land and
the tops of palm trees and claimed 81 lives in Hawaii. • 1964: A magnitude 8.4 Quake in Alaska
seabed collapsing into the
generated tsunamis that caused extensive damage in San
• 1896: One of the worst tsunami disasters
empty space. This collapse
Francisco Bay. Marin Counry and Noyo, Los Angeles and
engulfed entire villages in Sanriku, lapan. A wave more generated a series of
Long Beach harbors.
than seven stories tall (about 20 m) drowned some 26.000 large tsunami waves with
people. Many coastal residents were in the streets altitudes as high as 40 • 1976: Around the midnight of August 16. a
celebrating a holiday when the wave struck. meters above sea level. tsunami generated by a Quake on Mindanao in the
Philippines killed between 5.000 and 8.000 people in
• 1906: A massive tsunami struck the coast of the Moro Gulf region.
Ecuador and Colombia, submerging half of Tumaco.
Colombia. and washing away half of a nearby island. The • 1983: 104 people in western lapan were killed
death toll was estimated at between 500 and 1,500. by a tsunami spawned from a nearby earthQuake.

• 1946: An earthQuake in the Aleutian Islands sent • 1992: An earthQuake of magnitude 7.2 in
a tsunami to Hawaii. killing 159 people. Five people died California generated a tsunami. No one was killed in this
in Alaska. tsunami.

• 1998:A PapuaNew Guinea tsunami killed about
2200 people. A 7.1 magnitude earthQ!.lake24 kilometers
offshore was followed within 10 minutes by a tsunami
about 12m tall. While the magnitude of the Quakewas not
large enough to create these waves directlY. it is believed
the earthQuakegenerated an undersea landslide. which in
turn caused the tsunami. The villages of Arop and Warapu
were destroyed.
• Indonesia has seen more than 50,000 deaths
in more than 30 destructive tsunamis over the
centuries - not including the most recent disaster.
Tsunamis are among the most terrifying natural hazards
known to man. Because of their destructiveness, these
have serious impact on human lives. social and economic
sectors. While nothing can be done to prevent the
occurrence of these natural disasters. their results. such
as loss of Iife and property can be reduced by proper
planning and earlY warning. It is also necessary to
understand the intrecacies of how tsunamis are generated,
how they travel and how (if at all) preparedness can
forewarn a nation to take steps to minimize damage when
a tsunami strikes.
Chapter- 3
Warning Bells
EARTHQUAKES cannot be stopped and so there is no
way to stop the deadlY tsunami either. The huge ocean
waves in the wake of a tsunami travel at ferocious speeds
that make survival for people near the origin almost
impossible but those farther away generallY manage to
escape with their lives.
But the tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean on the black
Sunday in the last week of 2004 killed people hundreds
of kilometers from the source. The 2,80,000 people
estimated to have lost their lives to the tsunami is over
four times the total (70,000) killed in all the 141 deadlY
tsunamis that have occurred during the 20th century. The The threat from the
dramatic increase in coastal population throughout the tsunamis can only be
world has put more people at risk today. Of the roughlY
dealt with effectively
4 billion people who live in Asia, 7 percent live near the
through programmes of
coasts. This population is expected to double by the end
warning, mitigation, and
of the century drawn by a booming coastal tourism
industry. education.
""C

'"
'" 0
~~
-
v;
670

-="''=:
o..~
c~

Tsunami speed verso

The need to take appropriate precautions to protect human
dePth
lives and proper!}' from damage by the killer waves can.
therefore. never be underscored enough. Although
tsunamis are the rarest of all natural disasters. these are
the stealthiest as well and. as it amplY demonstrated
recentlY. could be the most deadlY too. On top of that. if
it is difficult to predict earthQuakes. it is harder still to
predict tsunamis because these depend on difficult-to-
ascertain factors such as the exact topography of the It is difficult to predict
seabed at the epicentre of the Quake. The threat from the earthquakes, it is harder
tsunamis. therefore. can onlY be dealt with effectivelY still to predict tsunamis
through programmes of warning. mitigation. and because these depend 0
education. difficult-to-ascertain
factors such as the exact
Had warnings been issued in time about the giant waves
topography of the
speeding across the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. many
seabed at the epicentre
lives could have been saved. The tsunami that hit the
Sumatra Island took two hours to reach Sri Lanka and
of the quake.
another hour before it crashed into the Indian coast -
sufficient time to track the waves and warn coastal
communities of the impending danger. Thousands died The DART system that has been
because they were taken totallY unawares. These deaths Tsunami Warning Systems employed in the Pacific.
could have been avoided if the Indian region had an earlY Today. with advances in technology it is possible to detect
warning system in place. the Occurrence of tsunamis. Seismographs which are very
sensitive to wave movements have been devised. Then
there are tide gauges that consist primarilY of a float.
which is connected to an instrument that records changes
in water level. Geologists relY on a network of such gauges
to measure wave heights. These gauges are also
supplemented by bottom pressure recorders located on
the ocean floor. which measure the pressure of waves
paSSing overhead.
The information gathered from these tl'daI gauges and Most tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean that covers Established in 1949, the
pressure more than one-third of the Earth's surface. The US Pacifi( Tsunami Warning
't . recorders is transmitted through sate II'tI es to
mom onng stations. Here the data is fed National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's System (PTWS)
~nt~computers and by way of modelling (NOM) National Weather Service operates two tsunami- (omprises 26
It IS ascer~ained in advance. how high warning centresl. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami international Member
Warning Center (WClATWC) in Palmer. Alaska. serves
the ts.unamlwaveswill be along the coast States forming an
for different intensities of earthQuakes. as the Regional Tsunami Warning Center for Alaska.
International
Warnings can then be issued to local and British Columbia. Washington. Oregon and California.
Coordination Group for
regional authorities to evacuate people The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Ewa
Beach. Hawaii. serves as the regional Tsunami Warning
the Tsunami Warning
from th.e areas like~ to be hit by the
Center for Hawaii and as a national/international warning System (TWS) in the
tsunami waves. Today's networks can
centre for tsunamis that pose a Pacific-wide threat. Pacifi( Basin
issue warnings within 10 minutes of an

+
earthQuake.
Established in 1949. the Pacific Tsunami Warning System
(PTWS) comprises 26 international Member States
5 km (3 mi.} to 0<••• surlocf R."""'d.,,bot.hl Bottom
pressure forming an International Coordination Group for the
recorder Tsunami Warning System (TWS) in the Pacific Basin'.
16.5m(54ftl /,- Recovery OJ'd RFtransmiller
(top) and This system monitors sea movements and can be used to
How they are
map the path of tsunamis and estimate the rate of approach.
deployed on
the ocean For coastlines that are particular~ prone to tsunamis.
floor (left). risk assessmentsare done much in advance.

Basical~. areas vulnerable to tsunamis are assessed by

the shape of the seafloor where tsunamis may take place.
Flotation gloss spheres
the shape of the coastal land that may be affected by a
enclosed in "Hardhats"
resulting tsunami and final~. the presence of harbours in
the region that may causea tsunami to changeits direction.
This information is used to predict the potential speed.
Q) direction. height and destructiveness of any tsunami that
>
c
-g 11.5 m (30 ftl may reach the area. In the event of impending tsunamis.
the public is issued warnings and evacuations are
undertaken. One such ear~ warning of an approaching
tsunami saved many lives in Honolulu in 1952.

The Pacific warning network

comprises hundreds of seismic-
monitoring stations worldwide as
well as coastal tide gauges. besides
sophisticated Deep-ocean
Assessment and Reporting
of Tsunamis (DART) buoys in
the Pacific Basin capable of
detecting even a centimeter's
difference in the ocean height.
The functioning of the system begins with the detection, If the earthquake
by any participating seismic observatory. of an earthQuake appears to be strong
of sufficient size to trigger an alarm attached to the enough to cause a
seismograph at that station. Personnel at the station
tsunami and is located in Weather
immediate~ interpret the seismograms and send their
an area where tsunami Weather sateliite to instruments
readings to PTWC. Upon receipt of a report from one of
generation is possible, ground station
the participating seismic observatories or as a
PTWC will check water Relays radio signal;
conseQuence of the triggering of their own seismic alarm. computers at graund station
PTWC personnel check the Internet for email from the level data from colculate tsunami's starting
National EarthQuake Information Center (NEIC) regarding automatic tide stations point, speed and arrival
the event. If the automatic picker at NEIC has not yet sent located near the times; real-time warning Communication buoy
sent to areas in danger. Recieves data fram sensor;
an email report. PTWC geophysicists log onto the NEIC epic entre for evidence of sends radio signal to satelite.
system and use data from their National Seismic Network a tsunami. Alsosends data fram
(NSN) to locate the earthQuake. The alarm thresholds at weather instruments on
PTWC are set so that ground displacements of the buoy.
amplitude and duration associated with an earthQuake of
approximate magnitude 6.5 or greater anywhere in the
Pacific region activate them. This magnitude is below the
threshold for issuing WarningtWatch and is the threshold
for issuing Information Bulletins.

After the earthQuake has been located and magnitude

determined, a decision is made concerning further action.
If the earthQuake is within or near the Pacific Ocean basin
and its magnitude is 6.5 or greater, but less than or eQual
to 7.5 (less than or eQual to 7.0 in the Aleutian Islands),
then a Tsunami Information Bulletin is issued to the
Warning System participants. Tsunami Warning!Watch
Bottom
Bulletins are issued to the dissemination agencies for
presure recorder
earthQuakes of magnitude greater than 7.5 (greater than
Sends pressure
change as a tsunami
7.0 in the Aleutian Island region), alerting them to the
as small as 0.4 Chain and
possibiliry that a tsunami Illay have been generated and
providing data that can be relayed to the public so that
nylon line
necessary preliminary precautions can be taken.

If the earthQuake appears to be strong enough to cause a

tsunallli and is located in an area where tsunami generation
is possible, PTWC will check water level data from
automatic tide stations located near the epicentre for
evidence of a tsunami. If the data shows that a tsunami
has been generated that poses a threat to
the population in part or all of the Pacific. the Tsunami
WarningtWatch Bulletin is extended until there is no longer
the threat of a destructive tsunami or it is upgraded to a

24 Tsunami
 warnings for the entire region in a
Tsunami Safety Rules short span of time. Among the most
• All large earthquakes do not cause tsunamis, but many do. If the quake is located near sophisticated of the national systems
or directly under the ocean, the probability of a tsunami increases. When you hear that an are those of France (French
earthquake has occurred in the ocean or coastline regions, prepare for a tsunami emer- polynesia). lapan. Russia. Chile and
gency the USA Regional systems. These
• A strong earthquake felt in a low-lying coastal area is a natural warning of possible,
provide the earliest possib~e aler~ to
immediate danger. Keep calm and quickly move to higher ground away from the coast.
the population within the Immediate
• Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami! When you can see the wave you
are too close to escape. Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run! viciniry of the earthQuake epicentre
• Tsunamis can occur at any time, day or night. They can travel up rivers and streams by issuing immediate war.nings .based
that lead to the ocean. on earthQuake information without
• A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. Stay out of danger until an "ALL waiting for tsunami wave
CLEAR" is issued by a competent authority. confirmation.
• Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by noticeable rise or fall of coastal Tsunami wave tossed boats ashore at
waters. This is nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded. To function effectively. these regional systems generally Patong beach in Phuket in Thailand.
• Approaching large tsunamis are usually accompanied by a loud roar that sounds like collect data from a number of seismic and tide stations
a train or aircraft. This is nature's warning trumpet and has survival value, particularly if telemetered to the central headQuarters. Nearby
a tsunami arrives at night when you cannot see the ocean. earthQuakes are located. usually in 15 minutes or less.
• A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant a few kilometres away. Do not let its and a warning based on seismic evidence is released to Japan has faced several
modest size trick you into underestimating it. deadly tsunamis in the
the population of the area.
• All tsunamis are potentially dangerous even though they may not damage every
coastline they strike.
past.
However. all the seismic evidence collected by the Tsunami
• Homes and other buildings located in low-lying coastal areas are not safe. Do NOT
stay in such buildings if there is a tsunami warning. Warning Systems would come to naught without timely
• The upper floors of high, multi-storey, reinforced concrete hotels can provide refuge and effective communication facilities which are capable
if there is no time to quickly move inland or to higher ground. of rapidly handling the data reQuests from PTWC. the
• If you are on a boat or ship and there is time, move your vessel to deeper water (at seismic and tide reports to PTWC. and Tsunami Warning!
least 100 fathoms). If it is the case that there is concurrent severe weather, it may be safer Watch and Information Bulletins. Generally. existing
to leave the boat at the pier and physically move to higher ground. communication channels are used with some
• Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can affect harbour conditions for supplementation. instead of establishing a separate
a period of time after the tsunami's initial impact. Be sure conditions are safe before you communication system. The Pacific warning system uses
return your boat or ship to the harbour. the communication channels under the control of the
Adopted from warnings issued by the West Coosl & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center United States Defense Information Systems Agen<)' (DISA).
Warning for the entire Pacific region. The dissemination Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). National Weather
agencies then implement predetermined plans to evacuate Service (NWS). Army. Navy. Air Force. Coast Guard.
people from endangered areas. If the tide station data various international agencies, and private companies.
indicate that either a negligible tsunami or no tsunami
has been generated. PTWC issues a cancellation of its NOAA has developed and deployed DART as a more
preViously disseminated Tsunami WarninglWatch. accurate monitoring system. DART sensors comprise
seanoor bottom pressure recorders (BPRs) and seismic
In some areas of the Pacific Basin national or regional instrument arrays for real-time monitoring of tsunamic
tsunami warning systems function to provide timely and development. The system is capable of detecting tsunamis
effective tsunami information and warnings to affected as small as I cm. which sends signals to a surface buoy
populations. This is because it may not be possible for anchored to it.
the PTWC to sift through the data and disseminate
26 Tsunami
 This device ba~ical!}' senses pre\sure differences caused
due to the movement of tsunami woves. Normal wind Every second is crucial when a Another system, recent!}' developed by Hitachi Ltd .. and
waves. which have a much shorter period than tsunamis. wall of water is moving at the the EarthQuake Research Institute at the University of
are filtered out. If a tsunami I~ detected. data is uploaded speed of a jet airliner, and Tokyo, uses GPS technology to detect tsunami several
from an onboard computer chip. via sound signals, to a even micro seconds shaved off kilometers offshore by measuring hOIA much a giant
'hydrophone' that is attached to the surface bu~y. The the response time may add up 13-meter buoy rises or falls on the ocean surface.
buoy sends the data to the Geostationary Operational to make the difference
Environmental Satellite (GOES), orbiting our planet. The
The Indian Paradigm
between life and death.
information is then downloaded to ground-based Until now, not much attention had been paid to
develop a tsunami warning system for the Indian
compllters, which demodulate the signals for immediate
Ocean because compared to the Pacific. tsunamis are
dissemination to NOM's Tsunami Warning Centers.
rare in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Besides.
The DART system is less VI i1nerable to earthQuake damage
than tide gauges. the governments of nations in these regions had to
give priority to more freQuent natural disasters, such
Japan that has faced several dead!}' tsunamis in the past as cyclones, river floods, monsoons ete. 3
has an extensive system of 300 earthQuake sensors that
operate round the clock to relay real-time information to However, India is now all set to install a tsunami-warning
six regional centres. Once a tsunami threat is identified. centre in the Indian Ocean. similar to the one in existence
local government officials nationwide are alerted to sound in the Pacifie. It will be called the Deep Ocean Assessment
evacuation alarms and broadcast information on radio and and Reporting System (DOASRS) and set up at
TV. Coastal towns can also Shllt water gates to prevent a cost of Rs 125 crores. according to Shri Kapil Sibal,
Minister for Science & Technology and Ocean
Until now, not much
waves from heading inland via low-~ying river networks.
Development4• The system would be developed in the next
attention had been paid
Even so, observers in Japan criticize the current warning two to two-and-a-half years. The system will have 12 to develop a tsunami
method as being too slow, given that many Quakes occur seafloor sensors and wi II compare well with the Pacific warning system for the
less than 28 km offshore. In the ensuing race between the network that has six sensors. Indian Ocean.
warning and the wave - every minute counts. Obvious!}',
every seco:ld is crucial when a wal: of water is moving at
the speed of a jet airliner. and even micro seconds shaved
off the response time may add up to make the difference
between life and death.

Japanese scientists have now developecJ technology

that can calculate the size, speed, and direction
of a nascent tsunami within seconds. much sooner than
what mo\! existing rystems can manage. The Japan
Agency for Marine-Earth Science ann Technology
has developed a method to accurately predict the
height of a tsunami three seconds after an earthQuake
2
hits . The new technology uses a pressure gauge
attached to the existing ~ystel1l of Quake-monitoring
canles on the seabed to measure changes in water
pressure immediately after a Quake occurs.

28 Tsunami -- --- ----- -- ----------

The seafioor pressure sensors. tidal gauges and a three the coast. the leading edge of the wave begins to In deep, open-o(ean
Although behavioural aIong "'1 ..
dimensional digital model of the Indian Ocean will be slow down while the rest of the wave begi~s to .pl ~ ~p water, tsunami waves
(hanges in animals (ould
heart of such a system. Geophysicists will use the behind it-causing it to grow in height while maintaining are often less than a
o((ur due to a
computer model to simulate fluid flow in ocean basin to its strength. meter high and (an
variety of reasons, it
assess tsunami risk for coastal communities once details travel at speeds up to
of undersea earthQuake are fed into the model. However. would not be su(h a bad Receding Waters 1,000 kilometers per
currentlY a model for the Indian Ocean does not exist. It idea to look out On the other hand. when the tsunami originates from an
hour.
has to be developed using detailed topography of the for behaviour deviant oceanic earthQuake associated with sinking of the land.
seafloor. from normal. the water column drops down at the earthQuake site. In
this case, instead of extremelY high water levels, there
Heeding Danger Signals appears to be an unusuallY low tide. Often onlookers are
intrigued by this major withdrawal of the ocean.
Technological inputs in the form of earlY warning systems
are desperatelY needed today if the country has to keep As the coastal ocean waters recede from the shore. large
itself safe from Tsunami tragedies and the like. However. portions of the sea floor are left exposed. Those who d~
more than that. what is reQuired is education of the coastal not recognize this as a common precursor to tsunami
communities in not onlY heeding the signs of danger but waves are often attracted toward the exposed shore. Some
also imparting awareness about the actions to be taken in may even rush to gather fish left high and dry on the
the immediate aftermath of a tsunami strikes. exposed beach or to view never before seen rock. and r~ef
formations-onlY to be hit moments later by the incoming
In case of a major undersea earthQuake. a tsunami could wall of water. Experts believe that a receding ocean may
reach the beach in a few minutes. For people living near give individuals as much as a five-minute warning to
the coast. the shaking of the ground is sufficient warning
evacuate the area.
of an impending tsunami. Coastal communities need to
be educated that in case of a strong earthQuake they need A tragic demonstration of what ignorance can .be is .gauged
to move inland or on to high ground and not wait for an from newspaper reports that in some Indian villages.
official warning. When a tsunami hit the island of people were attracted to the shoreline when word s~read
Hokkaido. Japan in 1993. casualties were significantlY of unusual waves or of the water receding. They perished
reduced. thanks to a timely warning issued by the when the killer waves struck.
meteorological agency. and because residents fled to
But what even a little education properlY applied. can do
higher ground after feeling the initial tremor.
is reflected in another report of a young British schoolgirl
who raised an alarm on a Thai beach when she saw the
Sound of Danger waters receding-a sign of danger she had remembered
Often large tsunamis are also accompanied by a loud from her classroom geography lesson. This was one of
roar t:lat sounds like a train or an aircraft. This is the few beaches in Thailand where no one was reported
another warning that should be heeded. killed or even seriouslY injured!

Water Movement Clues from Animal Behaviour

Another distinct sign of danger is a noticeable rapid rise A close look at animal behaviour during the recent tsunami
or fall in coastal waters. Now. what does one mean by a event is also a revelation in terms of earlY warning signs
rapid rise and fall in coastal waters? In deep. open-ocean of danger. SurprisinglY. while the giant waves killed over
water, tsunami waves are often less than a meter high and 30.000 people along the Indian Ocean islands' coast.
can travel at speeds up to 1.000 kilometers per hour. they seeminglY missed wild beasts. Wildlife officials in
However. as a tsunami wave approaches shallower waters

30 Tsunami
 E ewitneSs accounts cite several event~ that happened just The dramatic increase in
Animal Clues ~fore the tsunami broke, These. Include elephants coastal population
eting and running towards higher
ground, dogs throughout the world has
trump h' , th'
. g to go outdoors
re f USln •
zoo animals rus Illg Illto
)
elr
h' put more people at risk
h Iters bats frantically flying away etc. I erhaps t IS today. Of the roughly
~ e · ct 'and attention to nature's warning signals is what
IllS tIII . b 4 billion people who live
• Wild animals that normally avoid humans voluntarily come in close contact saved the indigenous peoples on the Andaman & NICO ar
in Asia, 7 percent live
with them, sometimes entering into dwellings or barns Islands from the wrath of the tsunami as they fled for
near the coasts.
safery at the first indications.

Wildlife experts believe the more acute hearing (and other

senses) of animals might enable them to hear or f~el the
• Cats will be jumpy. Warning signs such as hiding, running around frantically Earth's vibration, alerting them about approaching disaster
trying to escape to the outside, hanging on screens and meowing, or behaviour unusual long before humans can .sense it: Ther~ ~s .anecdotal
for the pet should be heeded. Pacing, hissing, or growling can also be visible signs to evidence about dogs barklllg or birds mlgl aLIng before
look oULfor. volcanic eruptions or earthQuakes. According to .so~e
scientists. research on both acoustic and seismiC
• Dogs will usually not hide. Behaviour exhibited before quake activity includes
communication indicates that elephants can easily pick
howling, whining, barking, restlessness, aggression, and increased devotion to owners.
They will usually run around, and can bolt through gates, windows, or doors, or stick to up vibrations generated from the massive earthQuake
you like glue. Some dogs will become more protective or aggressive while others will be tsunami. In lapan. where devastation due to earthQuakes
fearful or act dejected. has taken countless lives and caused enormous damage
to property. researchers have long studied animals in
• Hoofed animals, such as horses and livestock, often refuse to enter their barns hopes of discovering what they hear or feel
or pens and often refuse to be tied. They tend Lo group togeLher in open areas, aCL
before the earth shakes, They hope that animals
nervous, or pace restlessly.
may be used as a prediction tool.

• Some other unusual changes are that hibernating animals will emerge early
(snakes, bears, etc.); spiders and ants will move indoors; Rodents will invade the house
or if they are in residence will disappear; wild birds become quiet or are not visible.

Sri Lanka reported that no elephants died. There was not

even a dead hare or rabbit. There were no reports of animal
carcasses. It seems. animals could somehow sense
It would not be such a bad idea to look
impending disaster. Both wild and domestic animals out for behaviour deviant from normal
seemed to know what was about to happen and fled to as a prediction tool.
safery. Along India's Cuddalore coast. where thousands
of people perished. buffaloes. goats, and
dogs were found unharmed. Flamingos that breed this
time of year at the Point Calimere wildlife sanctuary in
India also flew to higher ground beforehand,
 However. the United States Geological Survey (USGS). a
government agency that provides scientific information
about the Earth. says a reproducible connection between
a specific behaviour and the occurrence of a Quake has
6
never been made . On the other hand. according to a report
by the Xinhua news agency of China, zookeepers in the
ci~ of Anshan. in Liaoning province. have been instructed
to report any strange behaviour by animals to the local
seismological monitoring network. Chinese have long
noted a strong correlation between irregular animal
behaviour and subseQuent seismic activi~. Authorities
in Liaoning successfully forecasted an earthQuake
on 4 February 1975. partial!>, based on odd animal activi~
before the event.

Although behavioural changes in animals could occur due

to a varie~ of reasons. it would not be such a bad idea to
look out for behaviour deviant from normal. It could just
be enough to save the lives of those living near
disaster-prone regions.

Post Tsunami
Most of the
Trauma Management
survivors of disasters and natural calamities
suffer from a disorder called the Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSDj, which is. as its name suggests. a reaction
to a traumatic event. This may emerge after days. weeks,
months or even years after the events. People may resort
to the traditional system of coping with disasters to return
to pre-disaster normali~ in the Tsunami affected regions.
Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine include Ayurveda.
Unani. Siddha. Yoga and Naturopat~. These incorporate
principles and practices of positive health and therapeutic
measures for physical. mental. social and spiritual well-
being in a most comprehensive way and presents a close
similari~ to the concept of health as propounded by World
~ealth Organisation (WHO) _
------
Post Tsunami trauma Management 35
Stress Reactions Imost similar results. In addition. pranayama Scientific studies
Stress reactions run the a rovides greater amount of mental tranQuility to the conducted have revealed
Though some disaster experiences may even promote
entire gamut of emotions individual. Meditation enhances the blood levels. of that six months of Yogic
personal growth. heighten confidence level and strengthen
from mild to severe. neurohumours along with a reduction in plasma ~ortlsol
relationships most stress reactions are a difficult practice leads to
However, many levels. This possibly indicates a decrease In. the
experience for disaster survivors. Stress reactions run enhancement of
the entire gamut of emotions from mild to severe. However.
survivors experience one psychosomatic stress and improvement in the capaCity to
parasympathetic
many survivors experience one or more of these normal or more of these normal do more of intellectual work 2.
activities, provides
stress reactions for several days/weeks/ months: Emotional stress reactions for
stability of autonomic
reactions include feelings of shock. fear. grief. anger. several days/ weeks/ Scientific studies conducted have revealed that six mont~s
of YogiCpractice leads to enhancement o.f parasympath~tlc
balance during stress.
resentment. guilt. shame. helplessness. hopelessness and months
emotional numbness (difficulry feeling love and intima')' activities. provides stabiliry of autonomiC balance dUring
or difficulry taking interest and pleasure in day-to-day stress. produces a relative hyper metaboli~ s.t~te.in1pr~ves
activities); Cognitive reactions include confusion. thermoregulation efficiency. body flexibility .. phySical
disorientation. indecisiveness. worry. shortened attention efficiency at sub maximal level or work. Improv~s
span. difficulty concentrating. memory loss. unwanted adaptabiliry to environmental stress and improvement In
memories and self-blame. Physical reactions include the cognitive functions 3.

tension. fatigue. edginess. difficulry sleeping. bodilY aches

or pain. startling easilY. racing-heartbeat. nausea. and
change in appetite and in sex drive. Interpersonal reactions Trauma
as in relationships at school. work. in friendships. in
marriage. or as a parent may change. There may be
ManagemenL
distrust; irritabiliry: conflict; withdrawal; isolation; feeling through Yoga:
of rejection or being abandoned; being distant.
judgmental, or over-controlling. Exposure to a disaster produces trauma. which can be
classified as:
Yoga & Trauma Management • Immediate - Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional
in the Post Tsunami Scenario • Long term - Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional

Yoga is the science of holistic living. It takes care of all
the aspects of human personaliry at the physical. mental,
social. spiritual. emotional and intellectual levels.
Yoga. in general. is believed to be the science of mind
and its behaviour I.
The regular practice of Asanas improves the psychological
functions of the individual. This is followed by
improvement in memory and even of intelligence Quotient.
Physiologically. the pulse rate. respiratory rate and
blood pressure decrease after Yogic practice.
Bio-chemicallY. there occurs a decrease in the circulating
acerylcholine levels. and slight to moderate increase
of catecholamine and cortisol. Serum cholesterol and
blood sugar levels are decreased along with an increase
in serum proteins. Pran<!yama practice also produces
Yoga may not help much in the initial stages of physical
trauma. other than providing rehabilitation to the person.
Yet Yoga can playa major role in the rehabilitation of a
victim at all levels on a long-term basis. Mental trauma
may include shock. depression. anxiery. loss of memory
and loss of sleep etc. UsuallY exposure to a disaster
produces social morbidiry as its after-effect. Yogic methods
Yoga, is believed to be can help in bringing back the person to normalcy.
the science of mind and
its behaviour. States of anxiery. depression. frustration and anger are
The regular practice of accompanied by a variery of physical responses including
Asanas improves the palpitations. excessive sweating. diarrhoea. indigestion.
psychological and headacheand weakness.These responses are the outcome
physiological functions of the complex process by which the physiological systems
of the individual. of the body adapt to stress s.

36 T U a i
The Yogic practices, which can work at different levels.
are:

Levels Practices
Physical Suryanamaskar, Asanas, Pronayamas, Kriyas
Mental Pronayamas, Relaxation techniques, Prayer and Meditation
Social Yamas and Niyamas
Emotional Yogic Counselling, Emotional Solace, Devotional sessions, Singing Bhajans,
listening to music ett

The Yama and the Niyama are the first two steps explained
by Patanjali under Ashtanga Yoga. These are the social
and personal dos and don'ts respectivelY.These are:
a. Yama -Ahimsa (non-injury). Sa0"a (truthfulness),
Astrya (non-stealing). Brahmacharya (celibacy) and
Aparigraha (non-hoarding of things).
b. Niyama: Shoucha (cleanliness), Santosha
(contentment). Tapas (austeriry), Swac!Y<!ya(self study),
lshwara pranidhana (total surrender).
Both Yamas and Niyamas must be observed at three levels
- body. speech and mind (Kaya-vacha-manasa). The
observance such practices would help in overcoming the
aftershocks of the disaster, establishing cordial
relationship with fellow beings and sociery as a whole.
The practices. which may be practiced for a holistic health
management in the cases of post tsunami trauma are:

Practice Procedure Benefits

Prayer One can pray as well as chant
Omkaro. 'Om' could be chanted
for 3 to 9 rounds with a loud voice
and one should feel the inner
vibrations along with the chanting.
Surya It consists of a series of 12
Namaskar postures, which
(The Sun salutation)
are to be performed early
in the morning while facing
the rising Sun.
Prayer gives a feeling of total surrender and calms down the
mind.
This energizes the entire neuro-glandular and neura-muscular
systems of the body. Its regular practice ensures a balanced
supply of oxygenated blood and perfect harmony to all the systems
of the body, thus invigorating the entire psychosomatic system 3.
Synchronizing the breath with the physical movements of Surya
Namaskar ensures that the practitioner, at least for a few minutes
doily, breathes as deeply and rhythmically as possible. This removes
carbon dioxide from the lungs and replaces it with fresh oxygen,
increasing mental clarity by bringing fresh, oxygenated blood to
the brain 4.
Surya Namaskar consists of a series of 12 postures, which (The Sun salutation) are to be performed early
in the morning while facing the rising Sun.
Asanas:
Asanas are the physical postures prescribed by Patanjali
and are defined as steady and comfortable postures. Some
asanasprovide relaxation to the body. Among these
Shavasana is the most important one.
Asano Procedure Benefits
Shavasana removes fatigue and gives relief to
Shavasana lie on the back. Spread arms and legs
apart. Close eyes. One should have the mind (HP-II-18) (GS - 11- 19).
(The Corpse posture)
the feeling of letting go. Visualize the
changes all over the bady. Just relax.
, ,
 The Nadishuddi process should be repeated for
Shavasana
(The Corpse posture) 5-9 rounds.

Pranayama:
Pranayama is a volitional control of breathing. The
difference between breathing exercise and pran'!}'ama is
the development of kumbhaka (the phase of temporary
suspension of breath) in pran'!}'ama. Pranayamas are of
primary importance in Yoga. Authorities on the subject
have opined that no other practice was necessary for
attaining purification of body and mind (HP-IV-3). The
Hatha Pradipika claims that the judicious practice of
pran'!}'ama alleviates all the ailments (HP-IV-24). The
Cheranda samhita says that by the practice of pranayama
the mind experiencesthe bliss and the practitioner becomes Nadi ShuddV
happy (GS-V-57). Anu/oma Vi/oma
Pranayama

Nadi Shuddij Anuloma Viloma Pran~ma

Procedure
The meaning of nadishuddi is cleansing of nadis
(the energy flowing channels). Many consider this as a Benefits
It induces tranQuility and increases vitality and
preparatory phase of pran'!}'ama. Inhale deep~ though the
lowers levels of stress and anxiety by harmonizing the
right nostril by closing the left and exhale gent~ and
slow~ though the left nostril by closing the right nostril. pranas. This practice cools the body and the mind as
well. It induces muscular relaxation, mental tranQuility
In between, practice Kumbhaka, voluntary retention of
breathing. One ryde of inhalation and exhalation though and may be used as a tranQuillizer before sleep 4.

each nostril constitutes one round of Nadishuddi.

40 Tsunami
 By the pradice of
Ujjayi hramari Sharmar; arises
Procedure rocedure
t comfortablY up right. Close ears using index fingers. enjoyable tranquility of
Sit comfortablY in an up right position. Inhale air through
both the nostrils. Keep the glottis partiallY closed during lhale slowlY. gentlY and as deep!>, as possible. While the mind.
inhalation. The partial closure of the glottis will produce haling slowlY. produce a Bee like humming sound by
a continuous hissing sound. Exhale slowlY and gentlY. l )sing the mouth. During exhalation gentlY bend down

Repeat this practice for 5 - 9 rounds. t c neck so as to adopt jalandhara bandha (the neck lock
t bending the neck) on completion of exhalation. This
Benefits f Ktiec can be repcated for 5 - 9 rounds.
Ujj"!Yi is classified as a tranQuilizing pran"!Yama. It has a
profoundlY relaxing effect at the psychic level. It helps to E. nefits
relieve insomnia and may be practiced in Shavasana just I a continuous practice of
before sleep 4. t ') there easilY supervenes
,ondition of bliss in the
Sheetali 1ds of practitioner that
ies all description (HP-
pranayama
59) (In Bhramari) By
,rforming kumbhaka
Procedure
mfortablY, fixing the mind
Sit in a
I 'wccn the eyebrows and
comfortable
.aching oneself from all
position. Extend
ccts there arises
the tongue
Joyable tranQuility 01 the
outside the
Ild. When the mind
mouth as far as
loined with the Atman.
possible and roll
rily there results bliss
it from the side
IS V 78). Bhramari relieves stress and cerebral
so as to form a
lsion. alleviating anger. anxiety and insomnia 4.
tube. Inhale
through the
tongue. Close
hastrika
the mouth and lrocedure
It in an upright and comfortable position. Inhale brisklY
exhale through
Luick forced inspiration) and also exhale brisk!>, (Quick
the nose. The
)rced exhalation). During the process the abdominal
practice can be
repeated up to 9 lIscles are put into much action.

rounds.
enefits
Benefits 1e HP says that the practice of Bhastrika leads to the

As for Ujj"!Yi 1.
:eling of well being and the practitioner attains the
tate of Unmani (the highest blissful state).
HP-IV-56&58). It balances and strengthens the nervous
Sheelal; lystem. inducing peace, tranQuility and one-pointedness
pranayama of mind in preparation for meditation 4.
 MUdras:
A. Mudra is a symbol or gesture cxtensive~ practiced along Yoga Mudra
with Bandha in the Hatha Yoga techniQues. The following Procedure
are a few practices. which produce tranQuili~: Sit in Padmasana. Place hands on the back and catch hold
of one wrist with another. Inhale slow~ and feel the
Hrid¥J Mudra breath gradual~ rising from base of the spine (mooladhara)
Procedure
to the mid-eyebrows (ajna chakra). Retain the breath for
~it in a~ comfortable position. Place the tips of the index a few seconds and concentrate on mid eyebrows (ajna
fl~gers at the root of the thumbs, and join the tips of the chakra). Exhale slowly while bending forward,
middle and ring fingers to the tips of the thumb so that synchronizing the movement with the breath so that the
they are placed side by side. The little finger remains forehead just touches the floor as the air is ful~ expelled.
straight. Place the hands on the knees with the palms Simultaneously, feel the breath gradually move
facing upward. downwards. Exhale and refrain from breathing for a while;
concentrate on base of the spine. Inhale. Raise the
Benefits
trunk to the vertical position and be aware of the
Hridc!ya l77udra may be practiced during emotional conflict breath moving upwards. Repeat for 3-10 rounds.
and crisis 4.

Benefits
Shambhavi Mudra It relieves anger and tension, inducing tranQuili~, and
Procedure
develops awareness and control of psychic energy 4.
Sit in any comfortable meditative position. Close the eyes
and relax the whole boc!Y. Slow~ open the ryes and look
ahe<ld at a fixed point. Next look upward and inward
focusing at the ce~tre of the ~yebrows. Hold the gaze for
few seconds.

Shambhavi and
Benefits Yogamudra calms the
It calms the mind. removing emotional stress and anger. mind, removing emo-
It also helps to develop concentration, mental stabili~ tional stress and
and the state of being beyond thought 4.
induces tranquility.
 Meditation is the
Ohyana (Meditation): practice which provides
Yoga Nidra: Yoga Nidra also ploys on Meditation is wide\)' practiced though the process of
Yosa Nidra. whi.ch is derived from the Tantras, is a important palliative role in tranquility and at the
concentration is sometimes misinterpreted as Meditation.
powerful techniQue in which one can learn to relax the fields of rehabilitation In fact the process of Dharana is concentration and
sometime makes one to
consclous~.
h . It ISa systematic method of ,'nduc',ng comp Iete where intractable pain, loss of Meditation is complete absorption in the process of
have positive attitude
p ~slcal, . mental and emotional relaxation. motivation and psychological towards life.
concentration.
It IS the sCience of relaxation which enables one to dive depression pose major barriers
deep down int~ the realms of the subconscious mind. in conventional treatment. . Breath Awareness: It is a preparatory phase of meditation The ultimate aim of yogic
there~y .releaslng and relaxing mental tensions and and a process of concentration. One can. by sitting at a practices is to make a
establishing
. .:;harmony in all facets of 0 nes. b'elng 5. Yosa comfortable posture (Padmasana or Vajrasana) and by trauma victim strong
Nidra p.rovldes effective symptomatic relief. alleviates closing the eyes. concentrate on the breathing process -
enough at the mental
depression and long standing anxie~. and helps the inhalation and exhalation. There is no need to alter the
level to withstand the
sufferer to recognize and accept his condition and evol breathing pattern. agony of the incident.
the b~stpossible outlook towards it. The Yosa Nidra sta~:
appears to reflect an integrated response by the Om Meditation: It is a classical method of

hYP?thalamus. resulting in decreased sympathetic concentration. Sit comfortab~. If you cannot sit for a long
(eXCItatory) function. It alters the circulating levels of the period you can sit in chair or even lie down. Gaze at a
stress
. hormones. adrenaline and cortl'sol . D' urlng \/.
losa symbol of choice, say the symbol Om. from a minimum
Nidra the organs and systems of the body attain deep distance of three feet. Look at the symbol. After some

phySiolo~ical rest and the body's powerful inherent: time. say after one minute. close the eyes and visualize
regene~atlve mechanisms are set in motion. As a result. the symbol at the mental level. Once you feel that the

body t.lssues are pfrysiological\)' braced against stress, mental c1ari~ has disappeared. open your eyes and see

becoming less susceptible to its harmful influences 5.

the Om again. Try to notice all the aspects of Om its
The stages of Yoga Nidra .
size. colour. contour. and shape etc.. and record it in
Preparation Shavasana, with instructions not to move or go to sleep your mind. Close the eyes and visualize the symbol at the

Relaxation Body/Om, inner silence, Omlbreathing mental level. Repeat this practice several times.
In time. you will be able to visualize the symbol
Resolve Make own resolve
better and better at the mental level. You wi II reach a
Rotation of consciousness Various parts of the body - outer and inner stage where there is no need for external object. but you
Body awareness Body/floor, body/mirror, body/skin can visualize the same. You will finally attain a stage
where you get absorbed in the process. forgetting every
Breathing ~bdolmen, c.hest, throat and nostril. Using mental control restrict inspiration to
l Use nostrils alternately. thing about the external world. This is the real
sing e nostn only.
state of meditation.
Sensations Heaviness/lightness, cold/heat, pain/pleasure
Inlier space Space in front of the eyes and forehead; chidakasha; colours and patterns; The ultimate aim of Yogic practices is to make a
ocean, well; spontaneous thought, meditation trauma victim strong enough at the mental level to
withstand the agony of the incident. Yoga helps one
Par~/temple; mountain; floating body; well/ocean; eyebrow center/ Om/Golden
egg, well/golden egg to focus and to experience one's capacity to
overcome the dualities of the life in a balanced way.
Eyebrow centre/ Om Circles of Om centred between the eyebrows
All what is needed in such a disaster is the mentali~
visualisation
to accept things as they come. whatever there may be.
Movement in time A backwards review of the events of the day For such acceptance, the mind should be well prepared
Resolve Repeat resolve and on~ Yoga can prepare the mind to that extent.
Finish Breathing, body and room awareness
Post Tsunami trauma Management 47
 Ayurveda & Trauma Many plants that grow Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina)
Sarpagandha
naturally are treasure (Rauvolfia serpen/ina)
Management in the Post troves of medicinal
Identification
Sarp 3gandha is an erect, evergreen perennial herb that
Tsunami Scenario properties that even usua lY grows to a height ofl5-45 em. It has a tuberous.
trauma victims in the soft. taproot. The bark is pale brown, corky with irregular
Certain medications are pre~cribed to tackle ~Ieep tsunami-ravaged areas longitudinal fissures. Its leaves are large and arranged in
disorders, anxiety, irritability, anger, the urge to may easily locate and whorls of three. The leavesare dark green above and pale
indulge in etlcohol and drug abuse and to improve use. green below. Its flowers are white or pinkish and its fruit
intellect. increase attention ~pan, abiliry to concentrate is purplish black in colour. It is wide~ distributed in the
and improve memory. These medications are Eastern and Western Ghats and the Andamans.
herbal concoctions that are effective. inexpensive and Locally it is known as Paataalagani. Paataalagaruda
backed by thousetndsof years of traditional knowledge. (Telegu). Chivanamelpod (Tamil). Sarpagandha.
Many plants that grow natural~ are treasure troves of Shivanabhiballi, Sutranabhi and Patalgarndhi/Sarpagandhi
medicinal properties that even traumet victim~ in the (Kannada)
tsunami-ravaged area~ may easi~ locate and use. The
following is a list of plants that are know/1for Dosage
their usefulness in combating stress and 2-5 gm of powdered root with desi ghee Le., clarified
related disorders. butter taken oral~. two times a day is beneficial in sleep
disorders such as lack of sleep or insomnia 2 .

AsvagandhalAsgandh (Wilhania somnilera)

Identification Mandukaparni (Cenlella asiatica)
Asgandh or Asvagandha is an erect. evergreen, Identification
shrub. 30-150 em. high, found throughout This is a perennial. faint~ aromatic herb that
India in neglected area~ and 0/1 bund~. The can grow up to 2 m long. It is common~ found
roots are stout, fleshy and whitish· brown. as a weed in crop fields and other unused places
The leaves are simple and oval in ~hape. But throughout India. Its stem is pink and striated.
those in the floral region are smaller and Roots are present at the nodes from which the
placed opposite each other. Flowers are leaves sprout. The leaves are fleshy and often
greenish or lurid-yellow in colour. Mature lobed. The upper surfaces of the leaves are
fruits are small, round, orange-red berries and smO')th but the lower surfaces are sparse~ hairy.
are enclosed like raspberry. The seeds are The flowers are red. pink or white and fruits,
yellow. dull brown. The leaves are used as vegetable in
Kerala.
Asvagandha/Asgandh
Locally, Asvagandha is also known as Pullvendram, The plant enjoys considerable reputation in
(Wi/hania somnifera)
Pannerugadda. Panneru (Telegu), Amukkwia, Amkulang, Ayurveda and is commonly known as
Amukkuram-kilangu (Tamil). Viremaddlinagadda, Mandukaparni (Sanskrit). Brahmi, Saraswatku
Pannaeru. Aswagadh and Kiremallinagida (Kannada). (Telegu) and Vallarei (Tamil).

Dosage Dosage
2-5 gm of powdered root taken orallY two-three times 10-20 ml of the juice extracted from the entire plant taken
a day is benefiCial for patients suffering from lack of oral~ two-three times a day is beneficial in improvement Mandukaparni
sleep or insomnia, a common complaint of of intellect. It increases attention span. ability to ([en/ella asiatica)
trauma victims '. concentrate and improves memo!)' 3.
Sarson (Brassica campestris) Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)
Mustard is a commonlY cultivated plant in Identification
India. It is an annual or biennial herb that The Amlaki or Amla tree is usual!y more than 8 m tall.
grows upto 1.5 m in height. The basal The yellowish-green fruit is round and fleshy and about
leaves have a few bristlY hairs especial!y 2.5-3 cm in diameter. The seeds are bony. Both wild and
along the veins. Mustard flowers and seeds cultivated varieties are found throughout India.
areyellow in colour. Oil extracted from its
seeds is used mainlY for edible purposes. Amalaki is local!y known as Nelli (Tamil and Malayalam).
Sarson is also called Sarsapa (S::nskrit) and Amalaka. Nelli (Kannada).
Pachhaavaalu (Telegu). Amalakamu. Usirikai
(Telegu) and Emblic
Dosage myrobaJan or Indian
Bodi!y massage (especial!y on soles of the Gooseberry in English.
feet) with lukewarm mustard oil is
benefiCial in the treatment of insomnia 4. Dosage
Amla enhances
Iyotismati (Celastrus paniculatus) Sarson {Brossico psychosomatic strength
compestrisJ and hence rejuvenates the
Identification
The plant is a large climber that periodical!y sheds all its body 6. It is taken as fresh
leaves. Its leaves are simple. alternate. very variable. fruit or 2-5 gm. powder per
elliptic or ovate in shape. The leaves do not have hair on day. 50 gm. of Amalki
the surface. The seeds ellipsoid. in shape.yelloWish brown Chrta (Clarified butter
in colour and enclosed in a red fleshy structure called cooked with amalaki juice) is beneficial in Amoloki (Phyllonthus
aril. The seeds are bitter and primarilY possess anti- psychoneurosis 7. emblicoJ
rheumatic activity. These are also popular for their
sharpening effect on the memory. The seeds yield dark
brown oil known as Celastrus oil Triphala (Three Myrobalans) Tripha/a is a well known
or Malkangni oil which possesses The powdered fruits of Emblic myrobalan. combination of,
the medicinal properties of the Chebulic myrobalan and Belleric myrobalan in Emblica myrbal n
seeds. Seeds are reported to eQual Quantities constitute Triphala. These trees
(ama/aki)
contajn the alkaloids celastrine are commonlY found throughout India.
Chebulic myrobalan
andl?anicul~tin that constitute
the' aWve prlpciples of the drug. Dosage (Haritalci)
It is :d'istrjbut~d almost allover
2-12 gm. of Triphala Belleric myrob Ian
India including middle and south powder mixed with honey (Vibhitaki)
is beneficial for is very useful in the
Andamans. Local!y the plant is
also known as Valuluvai (Tamil). psychoneurosis 8. 2-12 trauma m nagement.
Palulavam (Malayalam) and Seeds of lyotismoti ((elostrus gm. powdered triphala is
Kariganne (Kannada) poniculotusJ Pictture of the plant beneficial in loss of
on poge 53. appetite - a common
Dosage complaint associated with
1-2gm of powdered seeds taken. oral!y two times a day depression 9.
improves memory 5.
 Un ani System of Medicine & Post traumatic stress Iyot ismat i/Mal kangan i
disorder is a real illness
Trauma Management that needs to be treated.
(Ce!astrus paniculatus)
Identification
in the The Unani System of The plant is a large climber that
medicine also offers a periodical\}' sheds all its leaves. Details
Post Tsunami Scenario promising cure by using on page SO under Ayurveda methods.)
Dosage
some commonly available
Kahu (Lactuca sativa)
herbs and spices.
According to the Unani system of
Identification medicine, seeds are bitter, expectorant,
Kahu or Garden Lettuce is a popular salad brain tonic, exhilarant, and cure
crop of great nutritive value. It is chiefly psychological disorders. The oil
extracted from the seeds is used oral\}' at the dose of 10-
Plant of Jyotismati/Malkangani
valued for its mineral and vitamin content. (Celastruspaniculatus) Picureof seeds on
It has a milky sap and hairless leaves that IS drops, twice a day. Water- based paste of the roots is page 50.
grow in a basal rosette at first, then either applied local\}' on the head. It is useful in the treatment
in a loose or a tight\}' rolled head, and of depression. Malkangani oil mixed with butter is made
eventuallY along an upright stem that into a lotion that when applied to the palate is brain
supports the flowers. The flower heads stimulant 7,8,11.
are paleyellow and borne in dense clusters
above the leaves on an erect branching Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum)
stem. Identification
LocallY Kahu is also known as Salattu Kishneezor Coriander is a common\}' grown,
(Tamil) and Kavu (Telegu) delicatelY- branched, annual plant. Its top
often becomes too heavy and falls over,
Dosage sprawling along the ground and sending
Leavesare rubbed and juice is collected for using orallY. up branches, which gives rise to many new
The dosage is 2ml.A paste of the seeds m~ be applied plants. The lower leaves of coriander are
locallY on the forehead. It is used in the treatment of lobed. The upper leavesare fine\}' dissected
sleeplessnessor insomnia (Sehar) 7,8,11. Shower of lettuce into linear segments and are almost fernlike
(leaves) decoction is anti depressant. in appearance. The white or pink flowers are tiny and Kishneez (Coriandrum
borne in numerous compound flat-topped clusters in sativum)
Asgandh (Withania sominifera) which the flower stems arise from a single point. The
Identification flower clusters are on\}' about 2.5-5.1 cm across, but are
Asgandh or Asvagandha is an erect, evergreen, shrub, so abundant that the whole plant appears Quite shovry.
30-150 cm. high, found throughout India in neglected The seeds are contained in spherical yellowish brown
areas and on bunds. (Details on page 48 under Ayurveda pods that are ribbed and rough textured. It is a common Kishneez is an easily
methods.) plant mostlY used for garnishing in Indian cuisine. found spice in the Indian
This Common herb is called Dhanya (Sanskrit), Kothamalli kitchen. It is a proven
Dosage
(Tamil), Dhantyali (Telegu) and Kothambari (Kannada). exhilirant and hence ideal
Powered root of this plant is used orallY. 12g of the juice Dosage
is taken in divided doses twice a day. The useof the powder
for the people suffering
10-12gpowdered seeds are used oral\}' in divided doses,
with 5 ml Honey, 10 mg laggery (Gilr) and 100 ml Milk
from depression in the
twice a day. It is used as a tranQuiliiser, brain tonic and
further enhances its activity as a nervine tonic exhilarant. The use of the powder with 5gm of sugar further
post tusnami stress.
(MuQQiIwi-e-Asaab) 7,8,10,11.
enhances its activity 10,11.
Darchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
rtlefltification
Darchini or Cinnamom is a Dosage
small evergreen tree growing 3-5g powdered

in southern coastal regions of leaves are given

western India. The bark of the orally in divided

tree is the well-known Ceylon doses twice a day.

Cinnamon. The leaves have a The use of the

spicy odour when bruised and powder with 5mg

honey further
a hot taste. The flowers have
a foetid. disagreeable smell. enhances its activity
for the treatment of
The fruit is dark purple in
colour and one seeded. It is forgetfulness or
amnesia (Nisyaan).
an ellipsoidal ber!)'. with a
Water-based paste of
characteristic odour when
flower and leaves of
opened. The tr~e flowers in
the plant are applied
lanuary and the fruits ripen
on head for the
from May to August. The bark
treatment of weakness of brain. Flower and leaves are Usfukhuddoos (Lovondl/lo sfoechos)
of tender shoots and stems is smooth and pale. while that
Dorchini ground and used for inhalation 7.8.11.
of old .•~nd aged branches are rough and brown.
((innomomum zeylonicumJ
Locally it is called Tamalapatra (Sanskrit).
Cannallavangapattai (Tamil). and Lavangpatti (Kannada)
Sarpagandha/Asrol (Rauvolfia serpentina)

Dosage Identification

3-5 g powered bark is administered oral!)!. twice a day for

Sarpagandha is an erect. evergreen perennial her~ that

the treatment of depression. 7.8,11.

usually grows to a height of 15-45 cm. (Details on
page 49 under Ayurveda methods.)
Ustukhuddoos (Lavandula stoechas)
Dosage
Identification
250 mg of Asrol root and 250 mg black pepper (Piper
Ustukhuddoos or French Lavender is an evergreen Sorpogondho/Asrol
nigrum) are made into a powder for oral use. T~e dosa~e
shrub. It bears narrow. linear. stalkless leaves with (Rouvolfio serpenlino)
is 500mg in two divided doses twice a day. It IS use? In
rolled margins. The leaves are covered with a fine
the treatment of bipolar mania (junoon ma/enkho/!ya).
grey down. usually giving a grey-gleen overall
insomnia (Sehar). emotional hypersensitivity
appearance. The flower spike is composed of
{Zakawat -e-his)7,8,11.
closely set fertile bracts. which house the actual
flowers. and is topped by a tuft of large. showy.
Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora)
sterile bracts. The fragrance of this species is
Identification
somewh<3t between that of a true lavender scent and a
The Kafoor or camphor tree is a dense broad leaved
pLlngent rosemary fragrance. According to the Unani evergreen. The shiny foliage is made up of alternate
system of medicine it is a nervine tonic and helps in
oval leaves dangling from long petioles. Each leaf has
eliminating the excessive accumulation of black bile in
three distinct yellowish veins. The outer margins of
the blood. which is a ause of the psychosomatic
the leaves tend to be somewhat wary and turn upward.
disorders.
The new foliage starts out a rusty-burgundy colour.

Post Tsunami trauma Management 55

but the leaves soon turn dark green on the upper sides
Glossary
Kumbhaka: Voluntary control over keeping
Alna chakra: The chakra situated at centre of the the breath outside after expiration
and paler green underneath. New branches emerging from
eyebrows. (bahya kumbhaka) or inside after inspiration
the shallowlY fissured grayish brown trunk are smooth
Amplitude: The rise above or drop below the (an tar kumbhaka) or the automatic cessation
and green. Twigs are usuallY green. but may be tinged
ambient water level as read on a tide gauge. of breathing (kevala kumbhaka).
with red when young. The inconspicuous tiny cream-
coloured flowers are borne on branching stalks. They are Anorexia: Loss of appetite Landslide: An abrupt movement of soil and
followed by large crops of fruit. comprised of round pea bedrock downhill in response to gravity.
Ayurveda: Indian Traditional Medical Science
sized berries attached to the branch lets by cuplike little Landslides can be triggered by an earthQ!.Jake
Bandha: Neuro-muscular lock or other natural causes.
green cones. The berries first turn reddish, and then ripen
to black. Camphor tree can be readilY identified by the Bhajans: Devotional songs Magnitude: A measure of the strength of
distinctive odour of a crushed leaf. Caraka: Ayurvedic treatise written in 1000B.e. an earthQuake as determined by
It is locallY called Karppuram (Tamil). Karpuramn (Telugu). seismographiCobservations.
Chakra: Energy plexus in the body. These are not
anatomical entities but are said to be the centres Mantle: The layer of rock that lies between
Dosage
of spiritual activi~. the crust and the outer core of the earth.
3-Sg powdered leaves are used orallY in divided doses
It is approximate!>' 2.900 kilometers thick and
twice a day. It works as a nervine stimulant (Muharik-e- Cikitsa: Treatment
is the largest of the earth's major layers.
asaab). The use of the powder with 5 mg honey further Disaster: A crisis event that surpassesthe abili~
Mitigation: Sustained action that reduces
enhances its activity. Water- based paste of flower and of an individual, communi~, or socie~ to control
or eliminates long-term risk to people
leaves is applied on head for the treatment of or recover from its conseQuences
and property from natural hazards and
insomnia 7. B.II. TranQuillising effect can be had by Epicentre: The point on the earth'ssurfacedirect!>' thei r effects.
applying its exudates on chest and head. abovethe location where an earthQuakeoriginates.
Mooladhara chakra: The chakra situated in the
Cloth smeared in its exudates mixed with rose water or
Gheranda Samhita: One of the traditional texts base of the spine.
vinegar has the same effect.
on HathaYoga.written by Gheranda (approx. end
17th centUl)' or ear!>'18th century). Mudra: Gesture or symbol.

Hatha Pradipika: A traditional text on Hatha Nadi: The energy flowing channels.
YogaSchool. the period of this book maybe l4'h or These are not the anatomical entities.
16th century.
A Final Word With proper treatment,
Hatha Yoga: One of the schools of Yoga that
Padmasana:
extended together.
(Lotus posture): Sit with legs
hands by the side
the suffering can end.
concentrateson physical practices. Almost all the of the body; catch hold the sole of
Recovery from Post Tsunami Stress Disorder does not There is more than just right leg with the left hand and place it
prescribed practices need much effort.
mean that a survivor will forget the terrible Tsunami hope for success, there is on the left thigh. Similar!y catch hold the'
Hazard: An event or physical condition that has
experiences or have no emotional pain when abundant evidence of it. sole of left leg with the right hand and
the potential to causefatalities. injuries, proper~
remembering these. A certain level of continuing Lives can be reclaimed, damage. infrastructure damage. agricultural loss.
place it on the right thigh. Place hands on
reaction to memories is normal and reflects a normal respective knees in jnana Mudra.
help is within reach. damage to the environment, interruption of
body and mind. Recovery may lead to fewer and Close your eyes. Maintain the position
business, or other ~pes of harm or loss.
less intense reactions. It may also lead to a greater for some time. Breathe normal!>,.
Humours: Humours are fluids that are supposed
ability to manage trauma-related emotions and to Patanjali: Author of the book Yoga Sutras.
to permeate the body and influence its
greater confidence in one's ability to cope.
health. The Unani system of medicine believes Rasayana: Rejuvenation Therapy
there are four humours i.e.. dam.balgham,safra,
Rajas: Rajoguna is second of the three Gunas
and sauda.
or constituent Qualities of all material
Insomnia: Loss of sleep substance (other two being Sattva and Tamas)
Kr!ya: This is the process of cleansing. There are and is supposed to be the cause of the
sixsuchpracticespopular!>,knownasthe hatkrjyas. great activi~ seen in ceatures.
Richter scale: The system used to measure the
strength of an earthQuake. Charles Richter
developed it in 1935 as a means of categorizing
local earthQuakes. It is a collection of
mathematical formulas: it is not a 2: http://www.atsnn.com/story/II0683.html
physical device.
Sattva: It refers to consciousness, mind and
sense, the Qualiry of goodness or puriry, regarded
as the highest of the three Gunas.
Seismic. Of or having to do with earthQuakes.
Seismic belt: An elongated earthQuake zone, for
example, circum-Pacific, Mediterranean, Rocky
Mountain. About 60 percent of the world's
earthQuakes occur in the circum-Pacific seismic
belt.
Seismici~y: EarthQuake activiry.
Seismograph: An instrument that records the
motions of the Earth, especial~ earthQUakes.
TIde' The periodic rise and fall of the sea surface
occurring twice a day over most of the earth, and
resulting from the gravitational attraction of the
moon (and, in lesser degrees, of the sun) acting
uneQual~ on different parts of the rotating earth.
Tide gauge: A device for measuring the height
(rise and fall) of the tide. Especial~ an instrument
for automatical~ making a continuous graphic
record of tide height versus time.
Tsunami Information Bulletin: A message issued
to advise participants of the occurrence of a major
earthQuake in the Pacific or near-Pacific area, with
the evaluation that a potential~ destructive
Pacific-wide tsunami was not generated.
West CoasV Alaska Tsunami Warning Center:
Established in 1967 original~ to issue warnings to
Alaska about local tsunami events. It is now
responsible for issuing warnings for any event
like~ to impact either Alaska, the west coast of
the U.S., or the Pacific coast of Canada. It is a part
of National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's
National Weather Service.
Swatmarama: The author of the book Hatha
Pradipika.
Valrasana (Diamond posture): Sit with legs Chapter I
extended together; hands by the side of the body.
I: http://www.cnn.coml2005ITECH/science/O
Fold the right leg at the knee and place the foot
10/QUake.earth. vibe. reut!
under the right buttock. Similar~, folding the left
foot. place it under the left buttock. Hands resting
on the respective thighs, sit erect. gaze in front
3: http://sg.newsyahoo.coml041228/1/
or close the eyes. 3piml.html
4: http://www.lighthousefoundation.orgl
tsunam i I.cfm
5: http://www.bbc.co.uklscience!hottopicsi
natu ral d isasters/ti da Iwaves.shtml
6: http://news.nationalgeographic.comlnews/
2004/12/1228_041228_tsunam i. htm I
7: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edulgeology/
tectonics.html
8: http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text!
tectonics.html
9: http://www.crystalinks.comlrof.html
10: http://www.seps.orgl
earthQuakes _and_ts unam is. htm
II: http://en.wikipedia.orglwiki/
Intrap late_ earthQuake
12: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/1950dal
13: http://earthscLorgigeopro/tsunami/
tsunam i. html
14: http://www.mapsofworld.comltsunami/
tsunamis-seen-at -sea. htm I
15:http://www.tulane.edu/-sanelsonigeoI204/
tsunami.htm
Chapter II
I. www.news.nationalgeographic.coml
2. cbs//tv.comllocalnews/
3. wwwWikipedia.orglwikilTsunami
4. www.opinionjournal.coml
5. www.tsunami.orgl
6. www.c1imate.lkltsunami
7. http://irLcolumbia.eduitsunami
8. Bal Krishna, The Tsunami Shame, GIS
development.2005, 9 (1)16.
9. www. geophys.washington.edultsunami/
generallhistoric
Chapter III
References
1/ I. http:www.geophys.washington.edultsunami/
genera I/warn inglwarn ing. html
2. http://www.csmonitor.coml2004/1229/
pOls03-woap.html
3. Tsunami warning system for Indian Ocean,
presentation by Tad Murthy at Brainstorming
session on 'The Great Tsunami of 26
December 2004' held at INSA on 21-22
lanuary 2005
4. Brainstorming Session on Tsunami Ear~
Warning System for India' held at the Indian
National Sciences Academy (INSA). New
Delhi during 21-22lanuary 2005
5. Public awareness, education & international
cooporation endevours, presentation by Dr
Satish Sherya at Brainstorming Session on
Tsunami Ear~ Warning System for India'
held at the Indian National Sciences
Acaden:y (INSA), New Delhi during
21-22lanuary 2005
6. http://earthQuake.usgs.gov/
Chapter IV
Yoga
I. Swami Kuvalayananda & Dr.S.L.Vinekar-
Yogic Therapy (1994)
2. K.N.Udupa - Stress and its Management by
Yoga (1989).
3. CCRYN - Yoga & Naturopathy (2004)
4. Swami Saryananda Saraswati - Asana
Pranayama Mudra Bandha
5. Swami Saryananda Saraswati - Yoga Nidra
!\.yurevda
I. P V Sharma, Dra'Yaguna Vigyan Part II
page765
2. BhasisaiYa ratnavali-Parisista/l23-126.
3. Caraka Cikitsa 113-30.
4. Bhavaprakasa Purvakhanda 5/67,68.73
5. Bhavaprakasa- Haritaryadi var,ga/l71.
6. Gada Nigraha-2.
7. Sahasr<!yoga - Ghrtayoga-81.
8. Vangasena Samhita - Mada!y<!ya.
9. Bhavaparakash Nighantu.

Unani

I. )urjani, Zakhira Khuarzam shahi, 5th Vol. 8th

Chap pgs 11-13,6th Vol Chap 1-3 pgs 31-42
2. Kabiruddin M, Sharah Asbab Is' Vol pgs 127-115
4th Vol pglOI
3. Khan S. lIaj-ul-Amraz urdu pg 39
4. Ikseer-e-Azam 1" Vol pg 190, 223,226
5. Sina Ibn, Qmoon-fit-tibb 4th Vol, pgl2, 1st Vol
pg 88-89
6. Majoosi Kamil-us-Sana 2nd Vol Chap 6-7,23-25
pgs 201-317
7. National Formulary of Unani Medicine Part II
1998 pg 8,76,127,101,106
8. Ghani N. Khazinatul Advia Vol 1st 492-494 Vol
rd
pd 581-585.532-537. Vol3 249-259,277-280,
713-716
9. Ibn- Baitar; AI)ami ul mufradat Vol 1st 54.56
Vol 2nd 180-183
10.Kabiruddin M. Makhzan ul mufradat 290-292
Ii. Safiuddin.S Unani Advia-e-Mufrada30-33, 162-
164,215-218.254-255