Penang Tsunami Alert 11th April 2012

This is not the first time,Penangites have responded the way we did today,when news of the huge earthquake first broke.
Thank goodness,I was on a nature trail when the phone started going nuts.

I cannot imagine if we were amongst one of the thousands trapped in a shopping mall,cowering in fear of the unknown,jostling for a way out from the highest level to the underground carpark,after being bombarded with panic button messages by well meaning friends.

We were fed many untrue rumours such as

- head to Air Itam hills
- or to Balik Pulau if possible
- other messages screamed " get out of the island ! head far into the mainland,tsunami coming ! "
- that the Penang Bridge had been closed,no way out.Head for higher ground
-yet others urged the well heeled to fly out and not remain on the island

First thing that goes through your mind will be "why?"
followed by "2012"
and "omg the island will be what ????"
"what's going to happen to the island ?why are you asking me to leave/run/head to the hills ?"

You can imagine the chaos that choked the roads.Some drivers went beserk,at breakneck speed,in their rush to 'save' their friends and loved ones.

Kids who grew up with a phobia,following the 2004 incident,hurriedly packed every communication tool available together,updating their fb status along the way,efficiently packing well thought out survival kits,snacks and etc.
Thoughts of not wanting to die crossed their minds and that translated into tears flowing freely for those who were too stressed to cope.

It churned out utter panic,when people staying in highrises were evacuated and started mingling by the roadside.
The exodus from malls,marred by gridlocks from the elevators to the carparks to the major thoroughfares leading out,was inevitable.

The 8.9 magnitude Acheh quake,launched the police force and rescue services into action almost immediately.
These under appreciated heroes, were and still are at the forefront of ensuring our safety,combing the coastline,making sure everyone stayed off the beaches.
I salute them because even when it came to the time where the tsunami was expected to strike,there they were still blaring their sirens and horns along the coastline,placing duty before self,right to the last minute.

The fact that jittery business owners,were advised to bring down their shutters,in order to execute an evacuation of their customers heightened the mania.

By now we know that if it comes,it will be at 9.11pm
We decided to go up to the rooftop of our apartment.No point getting stuck in traffic.
From that vantage point,we could observe the flow of our surrounds.
Many were still not bothered.They stayed at home and indoors.Motorbikes were still cruising around and police sirens still blared up till 9.45pm
What I saw in my kids eyes,was fear of falling out with fate,mixed with excitement, in that they had a strong will for outwitting the forces of nature.

I listened to them best as I could,as they offered solutions and listened to signs of impending disaster.
Were there dogs howling or barking? Would the birds be frightened and take flight ?Holding their breathe each time another siren teared past our place.
Even the formation of clouds above could be read to see if there was going to be another round of tremors.
Yet I think at one point,I heard the eldest whimper "I am not leaving this area,not going downstairs till 11pm as I do not want to die tonight" as he sent another string of smses and updates.

Countless people, were on facebook and twitter searching for answers but they were bogged down by sites that took longer to load.
It was frustrating,our wifi connection was slow. No answers were forthcoming.
Some grew suspicious and questioned the authenticity of  new alerts by other netizens.

Then we saw a site that mentioned that the tsunami alert had been lifted.But we were not taking any chances and stayed a while longer until completely sure.
It was only when we heard the news on TV3 that we went back home.

This round of evacuations was the most serious and highest of alerts ever implemented on the island.
Some may say that it was unneccessary,especially since,the alert has been withdrawn.
But it is better to be safe than sorry.

The ferry services have resumed but motorists are not encouraged to loiter around the Gurney Drive roundabout and the beach areas.

We may have been more prepared but this time around,it was the postings on facebook and twitter,coupled with the crowds of very visibly frightened evacuees on the ground,almost everywhere on the island,that made us go a little haywire,and ditch rational thinking against our better judgement.

At 11.30 pm ,the tummy was rumbling.All the excitement from the instant the first sms barrelled in at 5.30pm had taken it's toll.
Mamak it was,but hey,we took great care to choose one away from the beach.
When we arrived,tsunami was a catchphrase amongst the sleepy banglas.What kept them awake at this hour.
And a group of policemen having a well deserved break from duty.

The kids argued amongst themselves.The nerves had not yet subsided.
"Skip school tomorrow" one suggested.The other groaned,the pile of homework the No.1 motivator.
They spilled out a battle plan to face tomorrow's challenge.How to brace for more aftershocks and what to do.

It was right there at that creaky table,that I asked
"If a wave comes in right now and sweeps us away,do we hang on to each other? "
Everyone froze.Irises widened in fear.
They had never entertained that thought,not for a moment.

"No.Each for himself or we will all perish .
Look out for something light you can hang on to and float or hold on for dear life to a tree."

The fragile situation of increasing frequency of earthquakes had us looking at the situation in this seemingly unfeeling,cold and uncaring way.

They were instructed not to look out for other family members.
They had to save themselves first and only when the water had subsided,should we start to search for one another.

Our dance with the Reaper,made me notice how starkly different everyone was when facing death in the eye.
Some determined to outlast,some full of doom and woe,others apathetic,come what may,routine was more important.
Heroes are born in moments like these.

We did what we did , was cowardly, dastardly even,but hopefully in so many words, will give them courage and strength to soldier on come what may.
Stopped short of saying that we are prepared to part ways forever, should that day ever come.
I hope our matter of fact approach will not misconstrued as cruel nor kill the fire within them.

But that is that,and we'll leave them to ponder,maybe get pissed or outraged even.I hope they'll understand.
As for now,don't worry, Penang has been spared.
All is well,the roads are clear,the police doing a remarkable job.

Sleep well tonight because tomorrow is another day,to greet the sunrise.

Little surprise,we finished the rest of our meal,like it was the last chance we had to cherish each others company together, buried in silence.