Earthquake Preparedness: Best way to deal with Earthquake

Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquake Preparedness Before an Earthquake

• Follow safe building codes for earthquake-resistant construction. Here I am sharing very simplified guidelines in the pdf link at the bottom of this post. you will enjoy it.
• Upgrade poorly built structures.
• Make a plan and be ready for an emergency.
• Heavy objects, glasses, and cutlery should be kept on lower shelves.
• Know the electric and water shut-off locations in your house.
• Flower pots should not be kept on the parapet.
• Identify the medical centres, fire fighting stations and organize rescue mock drills for the society of your area.

Earthquake Preparedness After an Earthquake

• WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.
• CHECK FOR INJURIES:-
  • If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, and use clean gauze or cloth if available
  • If a person is not breathing administer CPR
  • DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury
  • COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm
  • SEEK medical help for serious injuries
• If needed, open doors and cupboards carefully as objects may fall.
• Close the valve of the kitchen gas stove, if it is on. If it is closed, do not open it. Do not use open flames.
• Do not operate electrical switches or appliances, if gas leaks are suspected.
• Damaged electrical wiring-Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to the house wiring.
• CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES–Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass.

(source: https://www.usgs.gov & Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India)

Mobile App on Earthquake

“Bhookamp” App by National Centre for Seismology, is available on google play store. It gives authentic information about any earthquake that happened around and also provides safety tips.

Can Animals Predict Earthquakes?

consistent and reliable behaviour prior to seismic events, and a mechanism explaining how it could work, still eludes us.

An earthquake forecast was made in China several decades ago, based on small earthquakes and unusual animal activity. Many people chose to sleep outside of their homes and thus were spared when the main earthquake indeed occurred and caused widespread destruction. However, usually, no large earthquake follows this type of seismic activity, and unfortunately, many earthquakes are preceded by no precursory events whatsoever. The next large Chinese event was unheralded and many thousands of Chinese died.

(source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Which Instrument is used to measure Earthquakes?

Seismographs

Note:- The Richter scale tells us about the magnitude of an earthquake, that is the amount of energy released during an earthquake. it is calculated using a mathematical formula. On the other hand, a seismograph is an instrument used to detect and record seismic waves.

National Building Code of India 2016

One must have a look at a simplified view of the National Building Code of India 2016 if planning any new construction or to be able to advise on earthquake safety measures (https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Guidelines/Simplified_Guidelines_for_earthquake.pdf )

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