[dropcap]E[/dropcap]arthquake is one calamity which is said to be the most difficult thing for the experts to predict. Because of this reason earthquakes kill and destroy. In fact, earthquakes do not kill. It is the collapsing of weak structures that takes lives.
Given this reality we do not have to rely on the experts to save ourselves from the jaws of death. The authorities should take up measures while identifying structures that are fit to be dismantled. Faulty constructions and designing should be dealt as per the laid guidelines. Sadly, we have authorities only armed with debris clearing gears.
If lethargy and lackadaisical have not been the reasons for this farce what could be the reasons?Fortunately, our town like Kohima has not experienced an earthquake of high magnitude in this generation. But it is high time the authorities work to find ways to mitigate the impact of deadly calamity.
Nagaland is one state that stands at the high risk seismic zone of being devastated by earthquake, according to experts. If the Nepal case is not loud enough to alert our authorities they will forever remain unprepared. It is not impossible to remain prepared for such eventuality. We see the Japan situation. Authorities in Japan go by the tag that preparedness is the sole key to facing earthquakes. Under this tag the construction companies are given standing instructions within which they should exercise their rhymes and designs.
Today, we are obsessed with development and expansion of cities and towns and in doing so we neglect to concentrate on the planned preparedness. The planned preparedness would mean not to worry about how big the earthquakes will occur. The planned preparedness would mean to reduce the loss. It is also to mean to kill the mindset ‘earthquakes above 7 or 8 in the Richter devastate.’
The 7.9 magnitude earthquake of Nepal that killed nearly 10,000 people would have killed just a dozen people in Japan or in Paris. This is possible because of the planned preparedness.
