2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a catastrophic event triggered by a massive undersea megathrust earthquake off the western coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004. This earthquake, one of the most powerful ever recorded at a magnitude of 9.1–9.3, generated a series of devastating tsunamis that affected several countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including India. The Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were particularly hard hit, with over 8,000 fatalities and extensive damage to coastal infrastructure. The disaster prompted a significant humanitarian response both domestically and internationally, highlighting vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. The tsunami's impact spurred advancements in early warning systems and disaster management policies across the region.