world's most primitive tribes. Most have maintained their lifestyle for centuries, and government policy is one of non-interference. Most of the native islanders reportedly survived the tsunami because they lived on higher ground or far from the coast. The Onge (with a 2001 census population of 96), Jarawa (240), Sentinelese (39) and Great Andamanese (43) were reached by survey teams. The Sentinelese, on an island reserve, are hostile to outsiders and shot arrows at helicopters sent to check on them. On the Nicobar Islands the Nicobarese, a tribe with a Southeast Asian heritage (2001 population 28,653), lost about 656 lives with 3,000 missing. Surveys were conducted on the Shompen (2001 census count of 398) located on Great Nicobar island. India's only active volcano, Barren 1 (on Barren Island northeast of Port Blair), erupted on 30 December due to increased seismic activity. The population was evacuated, and there were no casualties. Indira Point (6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E), the southernmost point of the Great Nicobar Island and India itself, subsided in the tsunami and its lighthouse was damaged. Meteorological and seismic reports The Indian Meteorological Department warned people in coastal areas to exercise caution due to rough seas and tsunami. The Indian government issued a tsunami alert across India's coastal areas, triggering a panic which required clarifications. Ex gratia payments See also Disaster management in India Disaster Management Act, 2005 References External links Rediff.com BBC coverage (includes video footage) GlobalSecurity.org CRISP, Singapore Rediff photos, set 1 Photo set 2 Times of India photos The Hindu photos BBC photos Tribune India photos National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Tsunami page 2004 in India India History of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands History of Andhra Pradesh (1947–2014) Disasters in Andhra Pradesh History of Kerala (1947–present) 21st century in Puducherry 2000s in Tamil Nadu Disasters in Tamil Nadu 2004 disasters in India