The massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people, and the number of victims is still rising. The daunting destructive power of the quake not only shook the countries located near the epicenter, but it also created tsunami that crashed into the shorelines of faraway countries, swallowing up many people.

The quake had a magnitude of 9.0. It was the fourth largest in the last 100 years and was 360 times more powerful than the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

The northern part of Sumatra island was devastated not only by collapsed buildings but also tidal waves. In the provincial capital of Aceh, about 3,000 people were confirmed dead. The death toll in Indonesia alone reached almost 5,000.

The damage was no less heavy in Sri Lanka, an island country more than 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter. It was hit by tidal waves several hours after the quake broke out. The waves also reached India, the Maldives and the east coast of Africa.

In seaside resorts in Thailand and neighboring countries, tourists enjoying themselves on the Christmas holidays were victimized by the earthquake and tidal waves. Japanese were also killed.

Everything must be done to rescue the survivors.

What is noteworthy in the news reports is that there were no signs that evacuation orders or warnings were made in any of the countries.

Indian fishermen told local TV staff that they felt a shock, like being hit from behind, when they were mending fishing nets on the shore. Nobody appears to have been warned of the coming danger.

In tsunami-prone Japan, it is accepted wisdom to flee to higher ground when people feel a severe trembling of the Earth. Even in distant places where a quake cannot be felt, evacuation warnings are issued to residents.

Earthquakes often break out in countries facing the Indian Ocean as well. With the exception of Indonesia, though, tidal waves are infrequent in those countries and few precautionary measures are in place. Those countries probably were not prepared for distant earthquakes, such as the latest one.

Moreover, they are all struggling financially. Indonesia and Sri Lanka have also been rocked by armed conflicts. They cannot afford to spend money on measures--such as quake-resistant standards for buildings--for unpredictable earthquakes.

Japan and other nations are providing emergency assistance by dispatching personnel to the affected countries. Medical supplies, food and other vital aid must be given quickly.

After such urgent needs have been met, longer-term measures should be implemented. Official assistance to developing countries could be used to help residents better prepare for earthquakes and tidal waves.

Although great strides have been made in science, it is still not possible to know when the gigantic energy contained in the Earth will erupt. The earthquake that broke out in Sumatra drove home that cold reality.

Japanese people must always be prepared for a great temblor, such as one with an epicenter in Tokyo, as well as the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai earthquakes. Efforts should be redoubled to prepare for such natural disasters.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 28(IHT/Asahi: December 29,2004)