Dr Kapil K Sharma
Few days back areas of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar were stuck with an earthquake. Though it was not a major tremor still there was significant loss of life and property.
We all know that natural calamities like earthquake cannot be predicted accurately. Still preparation to deal with it is a task of top priority. Readers must have not forgotten the major earthquake of 2005 called as Kashmir Earthquake. It was a major tremor (7.6) on Richter scale. Epicenter was Muzaffarabad (POK). Approximately more than 75000 people died in Pakistan and around 1350 people died in J&K. On that fateful day of 8th October 2005 (9.42 am). Did we learn any lesson from that episode? None, I don’t understand why we have the ostrich like approach? If we think that such calamity will not strike again then we are living in the fool’s paradise. So many reports are appearing in media that a major energy imbalance is taking place beneath the earth which can result in a major earthquake in northern India.
Friends let us talk about our own Jammu city. Jammu is situated in the area which is highly earthquake prone (zone 5). If any time you happen to view old Jammu city from Gujjar Nagar Tawi bridge or from Mahamaya temple we realize that old Jammu city is situated at the slopes of the hill. Construction is done in haphazard manner. No safe construction norms are followed. People have constructed buildings to the tune of three, four, five stories, without bothering about the strength and quality of the plinth. Most of the houses are attached to each other. One can jump from one roof to the other and can reach other side of the street. Many houses are old even more than hundred years. This appears like a building of pack of cards if one falls it will take others along. Fall of one building can trigger a cascading effect. This bizarre scenario is a perfect recipe for disaster.
I strongly feel, we the people of Jammu are also party to this careless approach. Just imagine what our attitude is whenever we see a clipping of earthquake affected areas on TV, we feel numb for some time. We reassure ourselves that such tragedy cannot happen with ourself. Shiver which was set in spine disappears quickly and we change the channel because pictures are very disturbing. Imagine we cannot even watch such pictures for more than a minute and if this happens to us. My God a mere thought is so scary. I pray to God no one should be made to suffer the feeling of loss of close ones. Folks, we do not even want to think about this. Just imagine those collapsed buildings, pulling out of bodies, people crying, people missing and so on. I do not want to frighten anybody but we have to wake up and prepare ourselves to prevent this catastrophe.
This episode of recent earthquake should be an eye opener to us. Coming events cast there shadow before. Now question arises what can be done. So far all the stress has been put on new construction. This does not mean we should turn a blind eye towards old Jammu city and leave it to the mercy of God when disaster strikes. In the year 1985 an earthquake of intensity of 8.5 jolted Mexico city. More than 10000 people died. Mexico learnt the lesson. Though Mexico is not a very advanced country still preventive steps taken are commendable. It made compulsory for all the civil servants to undergo disaster prevention, mind it, not disaster management training. This reflects the mindset of authorities. We too have a department but it is for disaster management. That means we will wait for earthquake and then we will be active. Is it wise ?
Talking about Jammu city we the citizens should become proactive. In my opinion preventive steps must include the following suggestions.
We must educate the people especially those living in old houses to check the condition of the plinths of their houses. Govt should provide assistance and technical expertise towards this. Recent diggings done by ERA has proven that most of the foundations are in bad shape due to various reasons like seepage from drains, leaking of water pipes, act of rodents and so on. Interestingly in the areas like Jain Bazar, Peer Mitha, Lakhdata Bazar which are predominantely jewellers market the reason for seepage is man made. In these localities manual scavenging of drains is very common. Such people are called Nayara in local language.
These men make grooves in drains in order to trap precious metals. In this process water starts to seep in. Such foundations needs immediate remedial attention. Structural design experts must contribute towards this.
* Unsafe stories constructed must be dismantled. It has to be done voluntarily or by legislation.
* Process of regular audit of all the buildings should be carried out in full letter and spirit.
* Mock drills mimicking earthquake should be carried out.
* We must give more teeth to Town Planning Dept.
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