Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Class 8 English Notes

III

This section explores the behavior of animals before and during the 2004 tsunami, suggesting that many animals sensed the impending disaster and fled to safety. Eyewitness accounts describe elephants screaming and running to higher ground, dogs refusing to go outdoors, flamingoes abandoning breeding areas, and zoo animals retreating into shelters. Some people believe animals have a 'sixth sense' or heightened hearing that allows them to detect earth vibrations before humans do. The section notes that while over 150,000 people died in the tsunami, very few animals were reported dead. For example, on India's Cuddalore coast, domestic animals like buffaloes, goats, and dogs survived unharmed. In Sri Lanka's Yala National Park, despite visitors being washed away, only two water buffalo carcasses were found, and elephants were seen running away before the waves hit. The story of dogs in Galle refusing their usual beach run further supports the idea that animals sensed danger. This section encourages students to think critically about animal behavior and natural disaster prediction.

📊 Diagram: When do you think this picture was taken?

🧪 Activity: Comprehension check with questions about animal deaths, behavior of elephants and dogs during the tsunami.

🔗 Connection: Leads to the next section which involves working with the text and analyzing characters and language used in the tsunami stories.