World Tsunami Awareness Day aims to make sure people know what to do when the sea becomes dangerous. Tsunamis are rare, but they can be devastating, and early warning and knowing how to respond can save lives.
Why November 5th?
The United Nations General Assembly created the day in December 2015. Its date comes from a Japanese story known as "Inamura-no-hi," or "the burning of the rice sheaves." In 1854, a villager named Hamaguchi Goryo saw the signs of an approaching tsunami and set fire to his harvested rice to lead his neighbors up to higher ground. He later helped build a sea wall to protect the village.
How to mark the day
- Learn the natural warning signs: strong shaking, a sudden rise or drop in the sea, or a loud roar from the ocean
- If you live on or visit a coast, find out where the evacuation routes are
- Share what you learn with your family
- Support organizations working on disaster preparedness
