The devastating earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale which struck on the morning of October 8, killed nearly 40,000 people and injured thousands, is said to be the biggest tragedy in the history of Pakistan.
The earthquake struck when schools were beginning classes, and hundreds if not thousands of children are feared to have died when buildings collapsed or were engulfed by landslides.
The epicentre was close to the Line of Control in Kashmir, and scores of soldiers of Pakistan and India died when their heavily-fortified positions collapsed around them.
In occupied Kashmir, an official said more than 1500 people had been killed and that the number would be increased.
The scale of the disaster has shocked the international community and brought pledges of aid and expressions of sympathy. For some, the rescue effort arrived in time. But for others, there was only desperate hope and fears for the worst.
To date, no early warning system has been developed about the occurrence of earthquake. Anywhere in the world it is difficult to predict the occurrence of earthquakes and the devastation that follows. But it is possible to reduce chances of losses by adopting proper measures.
For better understanding of all the possibilities of earthquake risk reduction, it is important to classify them in terms of the role that each one of them could play. Therefore, in the pre-earthquake phase, preparedness, mitigation and prevention are concepts to work on. Post-disaster, immediate rescue and relief measures including temporary sheltering soon after an earthquake until about three months later and re-construction and re-habilitation measures for a period of about six months to three years need to follow.
Depending upon the extent and intensity of the calamity and its consequences, strategies can also be divided into long term (five to fifteen years), medium term (one to five years) and short term (to be taken up immediately in high risk areas). Since it has been realised that earthquakes don't kill people but faulty constructed buildings do the task of reducing vulnerability of structures and buildings will be the key to earthquake risk reduction. Also, pre-disaster preparedness through a post-earthquake response plan, including training of the concerned personnel in various roles, is considered essential for immediate and effective response after an earthquake occurrence.
PRE-DISASTER PREVENTIVE LONG-TERM MEASURES:
Re-frame buildings' codes, guidelines, manuals and bylaws and their strict implementation. Tougher legislation for highly seismic areas.
All public utilities like water supply systems, communication networks, electricity lines etc should be earthquake-proof. Create alternative arrangements to reduce damages to infrastructure facilities.
Construct earthquake-resistant community buildings and buildings (used to gather large groups during or after an earthquake) like schools, hospitals, prayer halls, etc, especially in seismic zones of moderate to higher intensities.
MEDIUM-TERM MEASURES:
Retrofitting of weak structures in highly seismic zones.
Get communities involved in the process of disaster mitigation through education and awareness.
Proper networking of local NGOs working in the area of disaster management.
POST-DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Maintenance of law and order, prevention of trespassing, looting etc and evacuation of people.
Recovery of dead bodies and their disposal and immediate medical care for the casualties. Supply of food and drinking water.
Temporary shelters like tents, metal sheds, repairing lines of communication and information and restoration transport routes.
Quick assessment of destruction and demarcation of destroyed areas, according to the grade of damage.
Cordoning off severely damaged structures that are liable to collapse during aftershocks.
Co-ordination between various agencies involved in rescue and relief work is extremely important to avoid gaps (both in communication and field work) and duplication of effort.
PRE-DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Pre-disaster preparation can be conceptualised on the basis of an exercise on hypothetical earthquake occurrence and well-thought out estimates of magnitude of work involved etc.
THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS WILL BE USEFUL FOR PREPAREDNESS:
Train communities in high-risk areas in post-disaster search, rescue and relief.
Practice an extensive programme of mass drills in high-risk areas for earthquake damage reduction.
Train local NGOs and strengthen their capacity and capabilities.
Trained field personnel required to carry out post disaster damage surveys, for urgent relief purposes and for repair, reconstruction and retrofitting purposes. During emergencies, affected people need to be involved in the relief activities so as to create a feeling of self-reliance.