The Tamil Nadu Government has announced that it would construct a long sea wall in the coastal area of the State to safeguard against the impact of future tsunamis. However, as the recent disaster shows, no concrete wall can withstand the force and impact of such massive tidal waves.

Instead of considering constructing concrete walls against tsunamis, the government should encourage rapid aforestation along coastal areas.

For it was those areas that were thickly forested that were saved from further devastation by the tsunamis.

While there is urgent need to relieve the pain of tsunami victims, solutions must be designed and developed on more elaborate and scientific studies.

N. S. Venkataraman

Chennai

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