Tsunami Panic Six Years On

Summary

The text describes the chaotic reaction to a false tsunami alarm on a Sumatran beach, juxtaposing the panic with the calm, rational response of the author and his wife.

Abstract

The article "Tsunami Panic Six Years On" recounts the events following an earthquake in Sumatra that triggered an unnecessary tsunami panic among tourists and locals on a beach in the Andaman Sea. Despite assurances from the author that another devastating tsunami like the one in 2004 was highly unlikely, fear led to a hasty evacuation. The panic resulted in an accident where a tourist collided with a local woman on a bike, causing injury. The author and his wife, amidst the chaos, remained composed, offering help and rejecting the opportunistic looting by local troublemakers. The narrative concludes with the author reflecting on the event with friends over beer, acknowledging his wife's level-headedness, and expressing gratitude for the platform to share his experience.

Opinions

The author believes that the panic was fueled by an overreaction to the earthquake, considering the low probability of another major tsunami occurring so soon.
The author expresses disgust at the treatment of the injured local woman, who was neglected in favor of the tourist involved in the accident.
The author seems to have a sense of admiration for his wife's calm and collected response during the panic.
The author's decision to stay at his home to prevent looting suggests a critical view of how certain individuals exploit chaotic situations for personal gain.
The author values the community and camaraderie displayed by his friends joining him to weather the anticipated but non-existent tsunami waves.

Free verse poetry tsunami part two.

Photo by James. G. Brennan.

An earthquake again in Sumatra Giving up false exclamations A Tsunami Was on its way, causing Panic on the not too busy Island beach In the Andaman sea By those with a taste for the dramatic Bringing fear and enjoyed power to those Who should know better.

Fear, and rightly so, The magnitude of 2004 Still fresh in minds Saw sunbathers and swimmers Quickly gather children and their belongings To head for higher ground.

I spoke to those still on the beach. “There would not be another Tsunami of 2004’s destruction For another 300 years.” Easing some minds. “Go up to the bar It’s off the beach, and high enough Should some small scale wave make it this far, Sumatras earthquake is nowhere Near the magnitude of 2004.”

However Cautionary steps Were taken away from the beach. My wife called me to the roadside To please help! A sight of pure carnage Laid out before us Straight out of a movie, Panic had taken over The rational mind.

A young panicked tourist woman Ran straight into the path Of a Thai woman on a bike Knocking her off into The path of a concrete Telegraph pole, The tourist bundled quickly into a car To go to hospital.

The local woman was left shaken Cut, bruised and unattended to, We took care of her, my wife seeing to it She got safely back to the resort Where she worked. I felt disgust at the way she was treated.

I refused to leave our home For the local tearaways To have their fun, A free for all just right for their pickings.

I sipped beer in my hammock Watching for the predicted Tsunami waves. As the six o’clock ripples rushed in So did two learned friends.

“We knew you would be here!” “get yourselves beer from the cooler.”

We mulled over the ridiculous Outcome as we enjoyed our, “ We survived the not Tsunami” beers.

My wife the sensible hero Drew out my sense of admiration, One who did not lose her head While all those around her Ran panicked like headless chickens.

Thank you Dr Mehmet Yildiz and the Illumination team for giving my words a platform here at Illumination… Thank you for reading and your valuable time. J.

POETRY

Tsunami Panic Six Years On

Free verse poetry tsunami part two.