Tsunami scare
A wave of panic engulfed the nation on 12 September night when the Indonesia earthquake prompted the weather department to issue a tsunami warning. Thousands of people in coastal regions moved towards the town. In a country just recuperating from flood, the tsunami would have been a big disaster, to say the least.
No one can possibly forget the Indian Ocean Tsunami that ravaged the coasts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and several other countries in 2004. Tsunami is basically the creation of destructive waves triggered by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions, landslides, large meteorite impacts and testing of nuclear weapons at sea all these have the potential to generate a tsunami. The waves may rise hundreds of feet and their devastating speed can generate enough momentum to crush coastal settlements.
Our country is in a bit safer position because it is a delta. Moreover, the slope of the coast at Cox's Bazaar from land to 300 feet at sea has a very low gradient. Massive waves are unlikely at shallow water. However, that does not guarantee protection from tsunami.
The coast along with the fishing and business vessels are under threat. The weather department should be constantly vigilant. By developing better communication, building higher shelters, and ensuring swift evacuation, we may alleviate the consequences.
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