SHILLONG: There is increasing concern on the part of many people including politicians on how to ensure safety, at least in their private residences in case an earthquake strikes.
Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak in an informal interaction with a few news persons on Wednesday admitted the need to follow safe practices while carrying out constructions, especially in private residences.
“Following the earthquake which shook many buildings in Shillong, I have decided to discuss with the concerned builder to ensure security audit of my house and also to construct exit points to deal with any emergency situation” Marak said.
She also indicated that there is a need to carry out the security audit of government buildings including setting up of exit points when any natural disaster strikes.
A senior citizen said that if proper building codes are adopted while constructing the buildings and frequent security audits are carried out by individuals and government departments, there will not be any cause of worry.
A government official dealing with the disaster management agreed to the idea of conducting frequent security audits of government buildings, hospitals and others.
Monday’s wee hour earthquake may have become history become but its ghost still haunts the minds of many here. Blowing of sacred conch shells, worship bells and other religious objects were heard just past 4:35 on Monday morning as the entire town woke up to the stroke of the big tremor whose effect continues to linger in the minds of people.
Such worship items are used to drive off natural calamities and evil effects on such occasions, it is believed. After the earthquake that rocked residents of the town, which had its effects in other regional states, people recollected the horror of the tremor as every object swayed leaving all at the mercy of the Almighty. Many thought, “We are nearing our end”, but, they thanked God as the tremor did not cause any destruction.
Others said that they could not believe that they were still alive; given the “instant big shake” they felt inside their homes. Assam type cottages and RCC buildings shook like toys, as their inhabitants ran out in search of safety while calling upon God in unison.
A resident of Laban said that the tremor was so “instantly heavy” that the position of his wall clock and other wall hangings changed as a result. His counterpart from Laitumkhrah observed that she could not understand first, why her bed was shaking but did not waste much time to realize that it was an earthquake. She immediately rushed to other rooms and woke her family members.
A student who was preparing for his upcoming matriculation examination in his home at Lachaumiere narrated how the water in a glass shook in front of his eyes said, “Had the glass been full, the water may have spilled over.” While running to his parents, he saw a pencil rolling down the table in the tremor.
Among those who could not run to safety except relying at the mercy of God were the old and bedridden ones. These panicked octogenarians and nonagenarians observed that with the untimely rainfall in the southern city of Chennai recently besides tornadoes in USA and flood in UK, there is no guarantee what is stored for the people of this region given its location on Seismic Zone V.
