"After the earthquake occurred I was just watching the beach for the receding sea water."Meulaboh, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Some residents in the district of Meulaboh in Aceh claim to have been more prepared to face the tsunami disaster and preferred to observe natural signs before seeking shelter, which was proven when an earthquake measuring magnitude 8.5 rocked the Aceh province on Wednesday (April 4).
According to residents who are living in the seaside village of Puri Swaendra, Meulaboh, Target Simantoro admitted he waited to watch for natural signs, such as the receding sea, before fleeing to the highlands.
"After the earthquake occurred I was just watching the beach for the receding sea water, which is the perfect time to seek higher ground," he said.
Target admits that he was not too panicked at the time, because the sea water rose about one meter, instead of receding.
Although he claimed he was not panicked over the tsunami signs he witnessed last Wednesday, Target decided to go to the highlands about a half hour after the earthquake, which occurred at 15:38 pm.
"We were not long leaving the beach side, because we returned to our house in the evening," he added.
When asked about any special preparations to deal with tsunami threats, Target admitted that there were no special preparations for it.
Regarding the tsunami warning signs, Target admits that he heard the Early Warning System siren when the major quake rocked the province.
One day after the big earthquake, residents had returned to their daily activities, Target added
"My daughter also returned to school the next day," he noted.
(T.A050/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
