Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Centre

Tsunami & Disaster Mitigation Research Centre - darkometer rating : 6 - A complex clustered around a new tsunami escape building that doubles up as an education & community centre, but also including some of the most stunning ruins of houses damaged in the 2004 tsunami that are still in existence in Banda Aceh . > More background info > What there is to see > Location > Access and costs > Time required > Combinations with other dark destinations > Combinations with non-dark destinations > Photos More background info: for general tsunami background see under Banda Aceh ! The area out here near the seafront, called Ulee Lheue, has been dubbed the tsunami's “ground zero”. This is an apt description in that it was the first district of Banda Aceh to be hit by the tsunami and one of those hit the hardest. Here the tidal waves rolling in were literally as tall as houses – or even higher in many cases. Almost everything was swept away – including a sizeable hospital! Given the exposed location right by the low-lying coastline, it was decided after the tsunami to build a series of escape buildings here, in case another tsunami hits (and given the ongoing tectonic activity in this part of the world it is more than likely that one day another will come). There are now between five and eight such buildings.