The Hindu : Karnataka News : The alert that saved many lives

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 04, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

The alert that saved many lives

By Shivaraja B. Nanjhappa

TUMKUR, JAN. 3. H. Gangadhar, radio technician with the Indian Air Force, saved scores of lives when the tsunami struck the Car Nicobar Island on December 26.

Mr. Gangadhar, who hails from Tumkur district, said that his past experience in relief efforts during the killer cyclone in May 1998 and the earthquake in January 2001 in Gujarat, while he was in service at Jamnagar there, came in handy.

Mr. Gangadhar and his wife, Mamata, spoke to The Hindu at her father, Shivanna's house at Dwaranahalli, near here.

The couple returned from the island to Mr. Gangadhar's village, D. Hosahalli in Turuvekere taluk last Friday.

Mr. Gangadhar said that on December 26, he and his colleague, Sandip, reported for the first shift at 5.30 a.m. on the third floor of the Air Traffic Control tower, beside the runway of Car Nicobar airstrip.

Mr. Gangadhar said he felt a tremor when he came down to fetch a battery.

He shouted for Sandip to climb down and both of them ran towards the quarters and alerted the people.

Seven minutes later, the tower collapsed.

Soon after that, tsunami tidal waves hit the airstrip. By then, Mr. Gangadhar said he had sent a message to the Air Force Station in Port Blair and switched off all electrical gadgets.

Group Captain Bandopadhyaya and the Air Force personnel played host to over 400 people on their campus and another 1,000 civilians by guiding them to MES (Military Engineering Service) campus, 150 metres away and at a relatively higher location. Mr. Gangadhar said that by 2 p.m., help arrived from the Air Force.

An IL 76 was provided to evacuate the stranded people. Women and children were despatched first.

By December 27 morning, about 1,500 people were brought to Port Blair. Two helicopters were pressed into service for providing food and medicines.

Bazaar washed away

Mr. Gangadhar said he was alarmed to see a village, Malaka, which was a main bazaar for the air base, washed away.

Some of his colleagues, their children, and many people were dragged into the sea. Buildings collapsed and trees were uprooted.

Mr. Gangadhar is among the many Air Force personnel who are on a month's holiday. He has been given a posting in Bangalore.

Mr. Gangadhar, who joined service nine years ago, was first posted to Jamnagar in Gujarat. In May 1998, he witnessed the killer cyclone in the area and in January 2003, he Bhuj earthquake.

Recounting that experience, Ms. Mamatha said she was virtually pulled out of her quarters when her neighbours felt the tremors.

H. Anand, younger brother of Mr. Gangadhar, said that he is proud of his brother, who was able to save a large number of people.

A motorcycle, domestic appliance, and valuables were washed away.

"We just watched our house collapse," Mr. Gangadhar and Ms. Mamata said bursting into tears.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka