2nd lead:

More than 10000 killed in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Monday, 27 December 2004, 08:24 GMT]
Government sources said more than 10000 people are killed in Sri Lanka. Rescue workers believe that the death toll in the Northeast region alone could be more than 6000. The number of people swept away would be much higher than earlier anticipated in the region, rescue workers say. Massive relief efforts have been launched. Infrastructure constraints and damaged highways make the rescue work difficult.

The tragedy is unprecedented in Sri Lanka.

Various figures from rescue workers in Northeast suggest that at least 1700 are dead in Mullaitivu district. Around 2000 are believed to be dead in Vadamaradchi East. 1200 bodies have been recovered in Batticaloa so far. More than 800 bodies have been recovered in Trincomalee. Hospital sources in Kilinochchi said that around 6000 people are missing in Mullaitivu district alone. More than 2000 are missing in Batticaloa.

Scores of dead bodies are floating to shore in Ampara and Trincomalee.

Hospitals in the entire Northeast face acute shortage of blood.

At least 5 villages have been found completely devastated in Mullaitivu district, rescue workers said.

In the south, 2000 bodies are recovered so far in Galle, Hampantodda, Matara, and kaluthura districts. 10 000 is said to be missing in south.

Highways in Batticalo, Polonaruwa, Trinco, and Habarana roads are blocked by the damages making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the remote locations.

The greatest impact of the wave was felt along the coastline where the coastal shape allowing water to be forced into confined areas, such as the coves found along the Northeastern coast.


Source: National Geographic Society map of the Indian Ocean Floor, 1992

Both India and Sri Lanka stand on the same continental shelf or platform, the edge of which does not extend beyond 19 kilometres from the present coastline. The shelf is shallow and does not exceed 70 metres in depth at its maximum. Beyond this edge there is an almost abrupt drop to more than 900 metres within 3 kilometres.


A Tsunami Illustration: A tsunami is undetectable far out in the ocean, but once it reaches shallow water, this fast-traveling wave grows very large.