World Tsunami Awareness Day marked on November 5, linked to Japan's Hamaguchi Goryo

Nature, as beautiful and pleasing as it can be, can at times take a frightening and destructive form. One of the most terrible and devastating natural disasters is the tsunami. These huge waves rising from the depths of the sea can lay waste to an entire coastal area within moments. To make people around the world aware of this danger and of ways to protect themselves from it, World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year on November 5. The day carries particular importance for human safety and disaster management.

What exactly is a tsunami, and how does it form? Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning "harbour wave", that is, waves that hit a bay or shore. In simple terms, when a strong earthquake strikes beneath the sea, a volcano erupts underwater, or the ground sinks or shifts in the deep sea, a huge amount of energy is released. This energy creates very large, fast-moving waves on the sea surface. As the waves move towards the shore, the water becomes shallower and their size grows manifold. They then strike the coast and cause heavy destruction. Besides the loss of life, the economic damage runs into crores of rupees.

No natural disaster can be stopped, but proper planning and preparation can certainly reduce the damage. With modern technology, advanced tsunami warning systems have been developed. Sensors placed in the sea and satellites pick up the movement of tsunami waves early, so people living on the coast can be moved to safety in time. On this day, people are also given demonstrations and training on staying calm during a disaster and moving to safe shelter without panic.

The origin of the day lies in an inspiring episode from Japan. A severe tsunami struck Japan in 1854. A brave man named Hamaguchi Goryo saved the lives of many villagers through his foresight and presence of mind. He set fire on a hill to signal the villagers to come to higher ground, and many people were saved from death. The day was chosen in memory of his sacrifice and courage.

Later, in 2015, the UN General Assembly officially declared November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day. Since then, disaster management bodies, schools, colleges and governments around the world hold a variety of programmes every year. People living in coastal areas are taught safety lessons and trained in how to deal with emergencies. In this era of changing weather, the importance of the day has grown further.