A man stood at a stand on the coast in Chennai buying fish. Vendors were scattered along the Indian beach, selling seashells and food. People enjoyed the warm Sunday weather over a game of cricket or a walk. Tall trees lined the area, providing a shady place to spread a blanket.

They didn't see it coming. By the time they did, it was too late.

As the man ordered, he saw the giant wave. He watched as it grew, nearing the shore. The only thing he could do was run. Behind him, the woman taking his order was swept away.

Across the world, Jim and Mercy Ragland were nestled in their bed. The Bismarck couple moved from Chennai to America in 1982, leaving family members behind. As they slept, a tsunami was tearing through the beach they used to visit between classes during college, ripping apart an area they used to call home.

Within 15 minutes at least 3,700 people were dead. Another 1,300 were missing. In just two days, the overall death toll would climb higher than 50,000.

Not long after, the Raglands would start hearing the accounts - of the man ordering the fish and other stories of what happened that Sunday morning.

"It's unbelievable that such a thing could happen," Mercy Ragland said. "It's a very sad scene."

The Raglands' sisters and brothers live in the area, but weren't affected because they weren't close enough to the coast. Jim Ragland said the waves came about half a mile inland. Huts, temples and shops were destroyed. The tsunami ripped apart fishing boats. Family members searched for one another, hopeful to find them alive.

Mercy Ragland's sister and niece were the only family members in Chennai when the tsunami hit. Her sister was visiting her daughter, who goes to dental school there and lives 15 miles away from the beach. They have only seen the aftermath through television. They haven't ventured out to see the destruction.

"The only way they could help out is by donations," Mercy Ragland said. "They don't know the families. If someone is in any distress the friends will help out. The government will give them temporary relief."

People are concerned the death toll could continue to rise if diseases start to spread because of polluted water. But people in Chennai are tough, Jim Ragland said. They have gone through bouts of infection. That they can handle.

"It's the ones who lost someone that will never get over it," he said.

The couple planned to visit Chennai last summer, but couldn't. They haven't been back since 2000 and will return when things settle down to see Marina Beach.

"It will come back to normal," Mercy Ragland said. "Life has to continue."

People contacted Tuesday who now live in the Bismarck-Mandan area but are originally from the region affected by Sunday's earthquake and tidal waves told the Tribune that they have been able to reach family and friends.

So far, everyone reached is OK.

Anand Kumar, 37, a computer engineer for NISC in Mandan, said his family lives in central India and wasn't affected. His parents have been able to reach cousins in affected areas, like the city of Madras, India, and they are fine, as well.

Sanjay Bangarulingam, an internist at Mid Dakota Clinic, said his hometown, Bangalore, in south central India, wasn't affected. He spoke to his parents last weekend and they are fine.

Ploiphan Sangporm, 18, an exchange student who is a senior at St. Mary's Central High School, said she talked to her parents Monday night and everything's OK for her family members who live in northeast Thailand.

Lionel Muthiah, a Mandan minister originally from Malaysia, said his family also reports that everyone is OK.

For those who aren't OK and need help, the local Gandhi Peace Network founded by Vinod Seth, a local doctor, and his wife, Aruna Seth, a Bismarck School District board member, plans to have a fund-raising event.

There will be a freewill offering for chai, coffee and desserts from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 818 E. Divide Ave. Local people from the affected area will be on hand and there will be a discussion about the situation.

Aruna Seth said the donations will be tax-deductible and will be sent to the non-profit India Development Relief Fund, a U.S.-based 501(c)3 charity, that, according to a news release, will use the donations for the relief and rehabilitation of affected families by providing such things as medicines, food packets, drinking water, clothes, medical services, distribution of fishing nets, assistance for purchasing and repairing boats, repair of diesel engines, fuel, distribution of textbooks, notebooks and uniforms to students, construction of houses and construction and repairs of community infrastructure.

Donations also can be sent to The Gandhi Peace Network, in care of the Seths, 1250 W. Highland Acres Road, Bismarck, N.D. 58501.