Dr BK Rastogi, DG, Institute of Seismological Research, Gujarat, tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that people need to be aware of guidelines if they live in an earthquake-prone region
Due to India’s geological position our country falls on one of the seven major tectonic plates in the world it makes us highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The Indian Plate straddles the Equator in the eastern hemisphere. Originally a part of the ancient continent of Gondwana, India broke away from the other fragments of Gondwana 100 million years ago and began moving north. It was once fused with adjacent Australia to form the Indo-Australian Plate.
This means that the entire Himalayan region is in seismic danger and people living in these regions should know the precautions to take when disaster strikes. Here are some tenets:
· Drop down on hands and knees (before the earthquakes knocks you down). This position protects you from falling and allows you to still move if necessary
· Cover your head and neck with your arms, clasping the neck with your hands
· If a study desk or table is nearby, crawl beneath it while keeping one arm over your head
· Stand against an interior wall. Stay away from exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is particularly dangerous
· If you’re in an office building, stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator
“If you're outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that can fall on you. If you're driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges. If you stay in a mountain area, be careful of a landslide. If you’re in a crowded area, don’t panic or rush for the exit,” Dr BK Rastogi, DG Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar, tells you.
He insists panicking is the last thing to do when buildings shake due to an earthquake. There have been cases where people have died just because they rushed down the stairs in panic. Always walk down in a calm manner, he says.
“The public needs to be educated about dos and don’ts. They should be able to tell the difference, depending on how the building moves, how far the epicentre is. If the building rocks like a boat (to and fro like a pendulum), one can safely assume that the epicentre is far away and there is no immediate danger or need to be alarmed. However, if the building vibrates (shakes), it means that the point of impact is nearer and the advisory has to be followed,” Rastogi explains.
He also tells you that when people buy houses, especially multi-storeyed apartments, instead of looking at the peripherals like the facade, tiles and fixtures, one needs to ask pertinent questions like what does the geological report of the area sayIJ What is the soil strengthIJ At what depth has the foundation been laidIJ If there is a water body, what is the protection from seepage during an earthquakeIJ How many RCC pillars are there on the outer wallsIJ The more, the better the structure can withstand the impact. At what degree are the iron wires binding the iron rods in the pillarsIJ These should be at an angle of 135° instead of 90°.
“While most of the new multi-storeyed buildings are made to sustain a quake impact, awareness is the most important aspect during any disaster,” Rastogi says.