We had another Tsunami alarm (on the 28th – this time it unfortunately came from government/official sources). It was caused by the news of a strong seaquake west of Sumatra. The news was on TV, CNN and larger international networks and was picked up by Thai TV and commented on in detail. In Phuket, Phi Phi, Khao Lak and most of the western coast, people fled, in panic, to higher ground.
These people, who survived the last Tsunami, are very nervous and panic easily and this is completely understandable. It is quite upsetting for us to see families with their children in their nighclothes running uphill whilst leaving their belongings behind. That a warning system has to be established is without doubt. The flow of information from the geological observatories has been improved on quite a bit and appears to be working well now. It does not make sense though, to show endless repeats of the pictures from Dec. 26th, allow self-certified experts discuss for hours about a subject of which they actually know little more than the average informed person, whilst failing to discuss the vital details. In particular:
1. The quake of the 28th was quite strong, but a lot weaker than the one of Dec. 26th. Everybody who is able to interpret the Richter Scale knows that, even if it does not appear to be a big difference in decimal points.
2. Between the Thai coast and the epicentre of the quake of March 28th was just about half of Sumatra (everybody could see that on the maps shown on TV). Even IF it had caused a Tsunami, it would not have hit the Thai coast. It could only have caused a slightly above normal tide, which happens every month during the spring tide.
3. If during a seaquake, the movement is not vertical (and that happens very rarely), this does not cause a Tsunami.
In this situation, it would have been enough to watch the events unfold and observe if there was a wave hitting the coast of Sumatra before putting unqualified reports on TV. This would have spared many people from having to spend a night out in the open and would have prevented many traffic accidents from occurring (this often happens in moments of panic during the stampede-like runs for the hills). If the subject is being dealt with as it has been, we need to be concerned that, after a few more panic situations, people will no longer react to an actual warning, if and when it occurs. Attention and vigilance are needed, but unqualified alerts create more harm (and sensationalism in the media does the same.)
Besides, since our births, we have all lived with the danger of a tsunami every day.
But nobody really acknowledged it until we were confronted with it this last December.
We also live with the danger of a meteorite hitting us, lightning striking or a trigger-happy politician causing a nuclear war. There should be daily warnings in the media on those subjects as well, so that we all can sleep better.
With regards to Thailand, they should warn of the only real danger: the crazy motorcyclists, pick-up and bus drivers. With the style of driving here, the danger of death in traffic is quite real, yet there are no official warnings on that subject, not even from the foreign affairs departments, which usually do not hesitate in putting out totally unnecessary warnings.
We hope that you in Oversea had a good Easter with good weather. That you are thinking of us and your concern about our wellbeing is very much appreciated. Your help and support are far exceeding what we ever expected – A heartfelt thanks from all victims and volunteers who could do little without all of you.