Recently, the Hindu Kush Region was stirred by a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8. This happened near the City of Khost in Afghanistan and the trembling was felt for approximately 1 minute across India and Pakistan as well. Afghanistan, which is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains, is part of the Alpide belt-the second most seismically active region after the Pacific ring of fire in the world.
An earthquake is a natural event which results in the shaking of the earth. This happens due to a sudden release of tremendous energy. What makes an earthquake a catastrophic event is the sheer unpredictability that is associated with it and the damage it brings about to human life and property on the ground. While there is absolutely no way to predict an earthquake, the only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones is by increasing our awareness about the right steps to take during and after the earthquake and spreading this knowledge amongst our near and dear ones.
How to prepare yourself prior to an earthquake
- Keep breakable items like pots and glassware in closed cabinets with latches.
- Brace whatever overhead light fixtures you may have.
- Hang items like pictures and mirrors away from where people sit or sleep.
- All defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections must be kept repaired.
- Store flammable products in your house in cabinets with latches.
- Identify safe places in every room and also locate safe places outdoors.
- Create an emergency communication plan with your family members. For example, if your family gets separated during an earthquake, develop a plan on how you can reunite after the disaster.
Read up about earthquake information, such as seismically active zones, emergency numbers, etc., from your government website.
What to do during an earthquake event
- Take cover under a heavy piece of furniture.
- Stay inside till the tremor stops. During the shaking of an earthquake, one must not leave the building because heavy and sharp objects can fall on you.
- If you are outside, stay in an open area away from street lights, buildings, trees and utility wires.
- If you are in a moving vehicle, you must proceed to a clear area. Avoid taking bridges as these might have been damaged by the quake.
- You must stay prepared for aftershocks.
Key takeaways from the article
If you live in a seismically active zone, you must keep in mind these few pointers that have been summarised in the table below:
| Preventive Measures | During an Earthquake | After an Earthquake |
| Talk to a structural engineer to make the house or building more earthquake-resilient | Do not panic during an earthquake | Don’t step inside a damaged building |
| Check for deep cracks in walls and ceilings and get them repaired timely | ‘DROP’ under the table and ‘COVER’ your head with one hand as you ‘HOLD’ the table till tremors last | If you are stuck in rubble Don’t light a matchstick Cover your mouth a cloth Tap on a wall or pipe Sound a whistle Shout only as a last resort |
| Ensure that any kind of shelf is fastened securely to the wall | Run outside of the building immediately after the tremors have stopped- don’t use the lift at this point | Don’t use the lifts for a few days if your building has one |
| Place large, heavy or objects with crooked/sharp edges on the lower shelves | When outside, maintain distance from buildings, walls, poles and trees | |
| Keep an emergency kit on standby Battery operated torch First aid kit and a guidebook Dry food items and water bottles Knife Powdered water purifiers Can opener Some medicines Cash and credit cards Sturdy shoes Thick ropes | If you are in a car, pull over and stay inside | |
| Learn and practise earthquake drill- how to ‘drop-cover-hold’ |
Conclusion
Even though the tremor stops, aftershocks may occur after a few hours, weeks or days. Sometimes aftershocks can be as damaging as a tremor and can completely bring down buildings. Be prepared on all fronts and stay calm and, most importantly, remember that earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings and structures do.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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