Impact of tsunami 2004 in coastal villages of Nagapattinam District, India

• Published in: Science of tsunami hazards Vol. 26; no. 2; p. 93
• Main Authors: Kumaraperumal, R, Natarajan, S, Sivasamy, R, Chellamuthu, S, Ganesh, S S, Anandakumar, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tsunami Society International 01.01.2007
• Subjects: hazard map; impact; Marine; run-up levels; soil and water quality; Tsunami 2004; ISW, India; India, Tamil Nadu, Nagapattinam Dist; ISW, India, Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur Dist., Nagapattinam
• ISSN: 8755-6839

A quake-triggered tsunami lashed the Nagapattinam coast of southern India on December 26, 2004 at around 9.00 am (IST). The tsunami caused heavy damage to houses, tourist resorts, fishing boats, prawn culture ponds, soil and crops, and consequently affected the livelihood of large numbers of the coastal communities. The study was carried out in the Tsunami affected villages in the coastal Nagapattinam with the help of remote sensing and geographical information science tools. Through the use of the IRS 1D PAN and LISS 3 merged data and quick bird images, it was found that 1,320 ha of agricultural and non-agricultural lands were affected by the tsunami. The lands were affected by soil erosion, salt deposition, water logging and other deposited sediments and debris. The maximum run-up height of 6.1 m and the maximum seawater inundation distance of 2.2 km were observed at Vadakkupoyyur village in coastal Nagapattinam. Pre and Post Tsunami survey on soil quality showed an increase in pH and EC values, irrespective of distance from the sea. The water reaction was found to be in alkaline range (> 8.00) in most of the wells. Salinity levels are greater than 4 dS m super(-1) in all the wells except the ring well. The effect of summer rainfall on soil and water quality showed the dilution of soluble salts. Pumping of water has reduced the salinity levels in the well water samples and as well as in the open ponds. Following the 2004 event, it has become apparent to know the relative tsunami hazard for this coastal Nagapattinam. So, the Tsunami hazard maps are generated using a geographical information systems (GIS) approach and the results showed 20.6 per cent, 63.7 per cent and 15.2 per cent of the study area fall under high hazard, medium hazard and low hazard category respectively.