EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW CITIZENS MAY BEHAVE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TO PROTECT FAMILY, THEMSELVES AND PROPERTY
Contributed by MGI Fellow: Rafi Ahmad.
DISCAIMER: THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE GENERALLY FOLLOWED WORLDWIDE FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY ON THEIR USE BY ANY INDIVIDUAL/ORGANIZATION. IMPORTANT MAKE A RESPONSIBLE USE OF YOUR MOBILE PHONE; DONT ABUSE THE FACILITY. 1. Significant earthquake tremors related to the Nepal earthquake events on 25th April and 12th May 2015 were felt over much of the Indo-Gangetic plain, known as “the maidani elaqa” of Uttar Bharat. It is underlained by the alluvial soils. Practically everyone, young and old, felt the tremors. Earthquake shaking was felt in all sorts of built environment, particularly sharp in the flood plains. There are a few reports of loss of life, injury and damage. However, the most significant impact has been a traumatic experience for some of the senior citizens and persons evacuating high-rise buildings and
from hospital emergency wards in Lucknow. Senior citizens and children were traumatized. 2. Earthquake shaking affected all in some way or the other including various stakeholders, essential services, and businesses. In Lucknow schools were ordered closed. 3. Citizenry is anxious and demands answers and explanations for their safety and peace of mind. It is a duty and also an opportunity for the academics and researchers to demystify natural hazard processes and provide credible science-based information about hazards associated with earthquakes, facilitate main streaming disaster risk reduction and help in the making of a resilient society. 4. In this brief conversation we highlight a number of issues related to earthquake hazards as far as AAM ADMI is concerned. One must understand that earthquake hazardous processes have a dominoes effect. One effect triggers something else and we end up dealing with a multiple hazard scenario. It is well documented that it is more than often that human actions make the effects difficult or worst to handle.
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW CITIZENS MAY BEHAVE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TO PROTECT FAMILY, THEMSELVES AND PROPERTY General summary to safe living with earthquake hazards and earthquake risk: 1. Seek a geologist’s help to know if your property is astride an active geological fault; Consult the official Bureau of Standard India’s Earthquake Hazard Zonation Map; look for information on how various hazard zones have been delineated; how to use this information and guidelines; and if there are any limitations on the use of this map. One must visit the District and City Office of Disaster Preparedness, Civil Defence authorities and local Red Cross for additional information as appropriate. 2. Ask a geotechnical practitioner to advice on the soil and rock conditions under and around your property; 3. Seek advise if landslides, ground fissures, liquefaction ( when solid soils loose strength and may flow when loaded with earthquake vibrations);
4. Ascertain if your property is in close proximity and vulnerable to man-made hazards, such as, inadequately constructed overhead top-heavy water storage tanks, buildings, dams, reservoirs, overhanging tree branches, electric wires etc. 5. Consult an architect/structural engineer to detail out the health of your property; determine a safe exit; 6. Examine the interior of your house for damage –prone fixtures, furnishings, appliances in order to secure these to avoid/ prevent injury, fire safety, and protecting valuables; 7. One of the best ways to share your losses is through insurance; seek insurance as appropriate; 8. Every member of the household should learn how to behave before, during, and after the earthquake to protect family, yourself and your property. Make an individually customized disaster survival plan for the family including locating friends/relatives who may collect your child from school if you are unable to reach them in time; practice these as drills; 9. Keep additional supply of reasonable amount of extra non-refrigerate food, hydration drinks (recycle these), candles, match, an axe to cut through wooden doors, affordable amount of cash, emergency medication, a battery operated radio; 10. Locate the nearest government operated shelter where you may spend a night or two; keep a packed humble tote bag with survival items; 11. Network and keep talking to neighbours/community on helping each other in emergency; and 12, lastly, Donate Blood to the Blood Bank and keep a receipt; you must have a valid ID. Before an Earthquake: These are ideal requirements but try to do best as your resources allow. Make your house and its contents as stable, earthquake resistant, and take insurance. Pre-plan with family members and neighbours to prepare a family disaster plan. Familiarize with First-Aid procedure; have a first-aid box in house. All family members must know how to avoid injury.
Have a flash light, battery operated radio, fire extinguisher, canned food, water. Know how to best handle domestic waste and garbage, under no circumstances these should be burned. Find out location of main electrical switch, gas cylinders, and water valves and how to turn them off/on as needed. Follow and support all government advice on safe living for yourself and those around you. Be a responsible citizen. During an earthquake: FIRST: REMAIN CALM AT ALL THE TIME. DO NOT PANICK. If you behave calmly you are less likely to be injured and those around you will be inspired from your cool attitude. Think twice before making any move, take action. While inside a house/building, stand in a corner or in a strong, preferably interior doorway, or if you can safely get under a sturdy desk or table. Stay away from falling plaster, bricks, suspended fixtures, windows, mirrors. Do not rush outside, stairways and exits may be broken, you don’t know the dangers looming outside your house. If you are in a dangerously weak building, it is better to wait for shaking to stop and then make a safe exit. If you are driving, stop in an open area away from tall buildings. After an earthquake: First, check for injuries, administer first aid. Seriously injured people should be carefully moved preferably with professional advise. Children and elderly suffer trauma, attend to them very calmly, comfort them, assure them of safety. Your pets also suffer from trauma. Check if there is a danger of fire. Check main electrical, water connections.
Do not use telephone lines unless there is an emergency. Do not go sightseeing. All streets must be kept clear for emergency vehicles. Secure essential supplies from state agencies in an orderly fashion; share, greed doesn’t help. IN YOUR HOUSE: Locate: Safest places Most dangerous places Safe exits Main switch for electricity, water valve. Have: Flash light Battery operated radio Charged mobile phone First aid kit Fire extinguisher Food and water supplies Make special arrangements for sick, elderly and children Make arrangements for a friend/relative in proximity to your child’s school for pick up if you can’t make it. Identify a person outside of the affected area to help keep family contacts. Help your neighbours. Look after your pets. IT IS SAFE HOMES THAT MAKE SAFE COMMUNITIES AND COUNTRIES. Sources/ Further reading: Yanev, P. I., 1991, Peace of mind in earthquake country, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.