It Was 20 Years Ago When The Indian Ocean Tsunami Hit

DECEMBER 26, 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the deadliest of tsunamis, triggered by a 9.3 magnitude undersea megaquake off the shore of Banda Aceh in the Andaman Sea. Now known as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, it brought giant waves at run-up heights over 100ft and killed more than 227,000 people across 14 countries from Indonesia to Somalia. It is also the first-ever recorded tsunami in Malaysia.

Penang was not spared, with Batu Ferringhi, Telok Bahang and Pulau Betong being among the areas to be hit worst. In Malaysia, Penang showed the largest number of fatalities, on top of damage to property and severe disruption of livelihood. Out of the national death toll of 68, 52 were from Penang, with five missing and another 206 injured; in addition to that, 615 houses and 1,332 boats were damaged. A family lost their three young, school-going children when picnicking by the beach.

Mega-scale disasters are uncommon in Penang and Malaysia, though this does not mean that they never happen or will never happen again. Large-scale flash floods, severe drought and even earthquakes may strike, especially when rare climate events are becoming more frequent.