For those of you who may have friends and family, vacationing in the affected parts of Asia
COUNTRY REPORTS
The Maldives
At least 120 people including two British tourists were reported dead or missing Monday. The nation’s only international airport on the tiny island of Hululle reopened early on Monday, officials said. Workers had pumped out water that inundated the runway, clearing the way for a stranded Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft to take off. With the death toll expected to rise, the entire island of Dhiffushi, a prime tourist destination, was submerged and would have to be rebuilt from scratch, officials and residents said. In nearby Thulusdhoo island there was no electricity and food, officials said. Mohammed Sunan, an agent at Happy Travel & Tours, predicted it would take months for the industry to recover. He said at least four or five of the Maldives’s roughly 80 resorts had been inundated with water, causing extensive damage
Thailand
- Phuket
Areas affected stretch along Bang Tao Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Harn Beach and Phuket Fantasea. The Governor of Phuket, Udomsak Asvarangkul, declared a state of emergency as waves pounded the western coast of the island in succession resulting in the sudden inundation of coastal areas, injuries and loss of life, capsized boats and vessels lost at sea. On the eastern coast of Phuket island, giant waves washed over Rassada Pier as passengers were waiting to board ferries for Phi Phi Island.
More news:
http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/
Laguna Phuket press statement:
Laguna Phuket was spared the more serious damage reported from other areas of the island as it was protected from a direct hit by the headland to its South. Nevertheless, a wave surge swept the beaches and inundated the ground floor rooms and some of the resort’s restaurants. Casualties were light and damage to property will be repaired as soon as possible. The beaches and lagoons will be cleared of debris and returned to full operation by December 28. Of the five hotels at Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket and Allamanda Laguna Phuket were unscathed apart from damage to a small beach restaurant operated by Banyan Tree. The Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket now has only six rooms out of order, and Laguna Beach Resort, 14. The Dusit Laguna Resort suffered the worst and is working to repair 30 beachfront rooms flooded in the tsunami’s wake.
- Krabi
Minor damage to Ao Nang Villa and Phra Nang Inn. Severe damage and significant losses at Krabi Resort.
- Koh Lanta
Significant losses incurred; three-star bungalows suffered the greatest damage.
- Phi Phi
Total destruction of resort properties and infrastructure on the islands. All operations have ceased.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is updating reports on its website -
www.mfa.go.th.
Sri Lanka
The worst-hit area of the island was the southeastern coastline, a densely populated area with villages nestling against ocean. Many of them have been wiped off the map. In Galle, the scene is one of total catastrophe. Virtually the whole of the seafront was obliterated and not a single building within 100 metres of the waterfront was undamaged. “What is most important is food, clean water and shelter,†said Roland Schilling, senior programme officer for the UN High Commission for Refugees in Colombo. Police said almost all tourist resorts are flooded. “The destruction is widespread along the coast and we fear for many people who were along the beach at the time,†Prime Minister Rajapakse told AFP. Leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe said the disaster had severely affected the country’s economy with the tourism and hotel sectors facing the brunt, especially in the southern regions.
Malaysia
- Langkawi resort reports
The Datai: "The resort was not badly affected by the tidal waves. The only affected area is the beach. Clearing up the beach is in progress and expect to be cleared within two days. Other hotel facilities in good condition."
Berjaya Beach Resort: "The beach and sea sports facilities are affected with mud and debris washed up all over the beach area. No sea sports facilities available for three weeks starting today."
Pelangi Beach Resort: "One of the most badly affected. Mud, debris and sea water rushed through the resorts compound including the swimming pool. The front row chalet facing the sea was badly affected. The resort has no electricity, water supply and air-con system is also out of service."
- Penang resort reports
“All our hotel guests are safe and accounted for as we are on higher ground.†– Mr. Lau Cheong Leong, Ferringhi Beach Hotel
“As our hotel is located on a cliff, we faced minimal damage. All roads leading to Tanjung Bunga and Batu Ferringhi are already open and ferry services are back to normal since last night.†- Mr. Joseph Kong, Copthorne Orchid Penang, Tanjung Bunga
“The impact of the tidal wave was minimal. No collateral damage, no injuries and everyone is in high spirits and we have no cancellation thus far.†- Mr. Leo Kuscher, Mutiara Beach Resort
“We were cautioned by watersport operators of the strong wave at 1.15 pm and we immediately sounded the alarm to our guests at the beach who evacuated the area and thus there were no casualties.†- Mr. B.C. Tan, Casuarina Beach Resort
Seychelles
- Praslin Island resort reports
La Reserve: "All rooms have been flooded and are full of dead fish and sand. There are no computers, or fax machines operational. The kitchen , restuarant and main buildings have been affected including all furnishings, and food stores. The hotel is now closed, and clients have been reallocated to other hotels on the island."
Paradise Sun: "Closed, and all new bookings will have to be reallocated."
Acajou: "No damage reported. The sea level did not reach the rooms or main hotel structures. The pool bar has temporarily been closed for clean up of sand and debris which had been swept up by the waves."
New Emerald Cove: "The hotel did not have any affects from the tidal waves, expect for their floating jetty which had been dislodged and swept away. Looking to have this repaired in the next few days."
Cafes des Arts: "Beach rooms flooded, clients have been relocated to Le Duc. Clients who will be arriving today, will be reallocated to other hotels."
Cote D’Or Lodge: "Hotel has been closed completely, due to the tides having affected the rooms as well as the main building. The clients have been relocated to other hotels on the island."
Palm Beach: "The hotel has been flooded, but there has been no structural damage. All the rooms on the ground floor have been flooded. Clients have been reallocated to the upper rooms and a makeshift restaurant has been prepared on the upper floor."
Beach Villa & Amite: "Beach Villa has been affected by the waves, with majority of all the rooms flooded. Clients have been moved to stay in the owners home. They are in the process of cleaning the hotel. The Amite Chalets have not been so greatly affected.
Villa de Mer: "The tides have affected the beach restaurant. They have now moved the restaurant into part of the reception. The rooms are intact and have not been affected. General cleaning on the beach restaurant and garden areas is taking place.
No damage to: Berjaya Praslin Beach, Les Villa D’Or, L'Archipel, La Vanille, Coco de Mer, Indian Ocean Lodge, Lemuria Resort, Le Tropic Villa, Maison des Palmes, Marechiaro.
Other islands including La Digue Bird Island, Denis Island, Alphonse & Desroches, have not experienced any damages and are operating as normal.