A CNN picture of the devastation in the state of Tamil Nadu where more than 6000 lives are said to have been lost. comment []6:22:34 PM
CNN reports: "no warning system exists for the Indian Ocean," said Eddie Bernard, director of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine and Environmental Labs in Seattle, Washington. Well, I don't remember big waves at all, growing up in Madras near Elliot's Beach - the continuous stretch of the Indian ocean - coastline from Marina Beach which is often called the second longest uninterrupted beach after Florida. This link to another story explains Bernard's comments in more detail.
The pictures of devastation in South Asia as the tsunami triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean travelled across the coastlines of 10 nations soon after Christmas Day!
CNN.com has a map of the affected areas and pictures of more