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Four tourism areas that recovered following a tsunami
A tsunami leaves behind a path of destruction. However, the following areas have been struck by the devastating natural disaster and have found the strength to rise again.
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Aceh was among the areas across 14 countries hit by the major earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004. (Shutterstock/fenkieandreas)
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tsunami leaves behind a deep wound for the families of the victims and the surrounding community. However, the following areas have been struck by the devastating natural disaster and have found the strength to rise again.
Kompas.com has compiled a lost of four areas that have recovered and been reinvented to become tourist destinations.
1. Aceh, Indonesia
The tsunami that occurred in Aceh on Dec. 26. 2004 was one of the most devastating disasters in Indonesia's history. The tsunami was triggered by an earthquake, striking Aceh with the full force of the Indian Ocean.
Aceh was not the only area affected, with 14 other countries experiencing the effects of the earthquake and tsunami.
The Indonesian province was among the worst hit, affecting more than 200,000 people. The region has since risen again and several sites were built as a reminder and a warning of such devastating disasters.
The sites include the Tsunami Museum, floating diesel-fueled power plants (PLTD), the Lampulo Floating Ship and the Aceh "Thanks to the World" Monument.
2. Phuket, Thailand
Neighboring Phuket in Thailand was also affected by the 2004 disaster. Thailand's popular tourism area was devastated by the tsunami. In addition to locals, many tourists died as a result of the disaster.
Other areas besides Phuket that were affected by the tsunami were Krabi, Ranong, Satun, Trang and Phang Nga. Phuket has since fully recovered and is still a popular destination for foreign tourists.
Read also: How you can help Palu earthquake victims
3. Maldives
Like Aceh and Phuket, Maldives was also hit by the 2004 tsunami. A reported 82 people lost their lives with 40 more disappearing because of the disaster.
The number of victims in Maldives was less than in Aceh and Phuket because according to locals, the wave was not as high, although it still submerged one island.
Today, Maldives faces the threat of being swallowed by the sea due to global warming.
4. Tohoku, Japan
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Tohoku region in Japan in 2011, triggering a tsunami that reached 40.5 meters high.
The earthquake on March 11, 2011, is often referred to as the most severe earthquake experienced in eastern Japan.
About 15,000 people died because of this disaster. The number of victims was successfully minimized by the good disaster management system in Japan. However, the disaster did trigger a leak of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima.
Japan is continuing to carry out reconstruction efforts. Fortunately, the disaster did not see the East Asian country lose its appeal as a world tourist destination. (liz/kes)
