Preparing for probable earthquakes

SCIENTISTS apprehend that a huge earthquake may be building beneath Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries on earth. They have found new evidences of increasing strain in the country where two tectonic plates lie below the surface of the world's largest delta. An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the shifting of rock beneath the earth's surface. They strike without warning, at any time of year, day or night. Forty-five U.S. states and territories are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes. Often we hear about incidents of earthquakes taking place elsewhere in many parts of the world causing death and destruction.

Earthquakes like cyclones cannot be prevented which necessitates taking adequate preparation to minimise the extent of damages. We have some preparation for natural calamities like cyclone or severe storms etc. but preparedness against earthquakes is almost nonexistent. We are not prepared for even a minor earthquake, not to speak of a major one. Now onwards we must be alert in organizing our resources to combat the effects of an earthquake, more so because of our vulnerability to climate change. Greater care should be taken during construction of buildings and bridges and proper safety provisions for earthquakes should be incorporated in their designs. We cannot prevent earthquakes, but we definitely can take effective action programmes to minimise the extent of losses. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust that generates seismic waves. It is unfortunate that despite phenomenal development in science and technology, the scientists are still unable to predict the time and place of the next probable earthquake which leaves us completely at the mercy of nature. We only hope that concerted efforts of scientists will be able to discover a technology to predict about earthquakes as improved weather forecasts these days have helped us minimize the effects of a cyclone.

Faisal Ahmed

Mohakhali, Dhaka