Impact of tsunami of Sumatra-Andaman earthquake on vegetation of coastal swamps of South Andaman

Abstract

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, was an undersea earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2004, with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, and the consequent tsunami have caused considerable change on the vegetation of coastal swamps of Andaman. It caused remarkable damage to the mangrove population in the tsunami-wave affected areas, like Sipighat, Netaji Nagar, Wandoor, Chouldhari, Ograbranch, Tirur and Habdipur of South Andaman. In South Andaman, in particular localities 30–80% of mangrove stands got affected by the tsunami-wave. The devastating wave of tsunami trounced the standing crops, particularly paddy in many parts. The water level increased about 1.5-2.0 m. Damage was so severe which lead some barren patches in those mangrove areas. Level of salinity also increased significantly in the affected areas. Re-establishment of mangrove has been seen in many affected areas, such as Tirur and Habdipur.