2004 tsunami, a forgotten tragedy?

After more than a decade, the deadly scars of the tsunami that devastated several villages in Kota Kuala Muda, and claimed more than 10 lives, seems to have been forgotten by many.

People around Kota Kuala Muda are continuing their lives as usual like nothing had ever happened to this laid back coastal village.

Bernama checks found that the area was not well maintained and the Tsunami Gallery and Tsunami Monument which were built two years later to remember the tragedy did not bring much change to the area.

The tsunami that struck on Dec 26, 2004, is still fresh in the memory of the victims, especially those who lost family members and belongings, but for others, it is just a forgotten tragedy.

In commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the tragedy, Bernama journalists spoke to several young people from the villages, who were in their primary school at the time of the incident, to share their sentiments about the tragedy.

Noorsabrina Mohd Saleh, 20, from Kampung Hujung Matang, who was in standard three when the incident occurred, said when the big wave hit, she was watching television at her grandmother's house located not far from her home.

"From my recollection, my grandmother, mother and siblings were also in the house, about eight of us, and we were shocked by the screams of our neighbours who told us about the big wave.

"I am grateful that we are all safe because the house was not flooded with too much water. We had to run barefoot because the shoes were swept away by the waves," she said.

She said the beach could not be seen directly from her home now since trees that have grown after the tsunami were obstructing the view.

Nabila Amni Hamid, 22, from Kampung Masjid who was 11 at that time said she and her family were just returning home from a wedding, held near their house when the tsunami struck.

Nabila said the tsunami had damaged part of her house but she was grateful that no one was injured or killed.

"During the chaos, we stayed in our house and saw our neighbours including the newlyweds run for their lives," she said.

For Farah Farhana Abdul Mutalib, 20, the tragedy thought her that people could just not predict accidents and it was possible that the tragedy would recur.

"What we can do is to pray that such incidents will not happen again," she said.