Indonesia has been hit by one of the worst Tsunami of the recent years. Friday’s earthquake followed by Tsunami has caused a death toll of more than 1200 according to the latest report on Tuesday. Earlier, the figures were reported to be 800. Recent Indonesia Tsunami that hit the coastal city of Palu was triggered by an earthquake of 7.5 magnitudes setting off the coast of Sulawesi.
Condition After Indonesia Tsunami
Indonesia Tsunami which has left 1200 casualties and more than 5000 people missing, has caused massive devastation. As a result of Earthquake, many buildings and houses in Palu were reduced to Rubble. While rescuers have increased the pace of their activities, it is feared that there are more survivors underneath the debris.
The citizens of the Palu are also facing an acute shortage of food and fuel.
While more than 1000 precious lives have been lost in the tragedy, worth mentioning are 34 students who died in a Bible camp of the Jonooge church. According to media reports, the total number of students in the Church was 86 and till now not much is known about whereabouts of 52 other students.
What Caused Indonesia Tsunami
Indonesia, a country that consists of several Islands is no stranger to Tsunamis and earthquakes. Even on Friday, September 28, when the incident took place, the city of Palu Kolu fault plate slipped causing an Earthquake of 7.5 magnitudes just 10 km below the surface.
According to the BBC report that cited an expert named Hamza Latief, the Earthquake was magnified because of the layers of sediments underneath the city. If it was a rock it would have only shaken but the layers of sediment moved or slip pass just like liquid causing much more damage.
Dispute Over Cutting Edge Tsunami Warning System
According to media reports, the damage could have been avoided or abated if Indonesia had installed a high tech warning system. There was a cutting-edge Tsunami detecting system aimed at gathering the data from seafloor through fiber optics and sound waves in test mode, but it couldn’t go farther than the testing phase due to fund delays. The project required almost $69,000 to get this done and call for it in advance.
Recent Indonesia Tsunami has also exposed the weaknesses of the public warning system. And, it has also highlighted the need for a robust and more synchronized public awareness system against such natural disasters. The region has also suffered worst in 2004 Tsunami that had hit many countries on the shores of the Indian ocean and resulted in more than half a million deaths.
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