By KK Muktan
The International Day of Disaster Reduction is observed on October 13, across the world in order to create awareness among people about the dangers of natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunami, flood, cyclone etc. and to reduce the risk of destruction of life and property. This day of natural disaster was first observed in 1989 after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Since then the world observes the day to educate people across the globe, as to how to reduce exposure to natural disasters and to abort the risks. The theme for this year is “Disaster Risk Governance”. The objective is to sensitize government agencies and stakeholders to renew their pledge and put more efforts to make the campaign for disaster reduction a success.
Under this programme in every state there is a State Disaster Management Authority under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister and a full-fledged Department of Revenue and Disaster Management equipped with trained personnel at the state and district levels. The idea behind the campaign is that natural disasters cannot be stopped but their effects on human beings can definitely be reduced if we promote proper advanced planning and management and take adequate precautionary measures against such occurrences. Hence on the one hand, there is a need for peoples’ awareness of possible natural disasters, and on the other Government’s plan of action to render necessary technical help to reduce the disaster risks and loss of life and property.
The observation of this day has a special relevance with our state of Meghalaya, as we are frequently experiencing heavy landslides and loss of lives and property. Only, in September last, there occurred a series of landslides due to incessant rain for more than a week in which many houses were buried under debris and about a dozen people were killed in and around Shillong. In one of the incidents that occurred at Lumparing, Dhobighat, five members of a single family were buried alive, one of them, named Regia, was a talented footballer-turned-cricketer of Meghalaya.
These incidents happen every year during monsoons because people build houses haphazardly in nooks and corners of Shillong without any plan or technical knowhow. With the growing urbanization and rapidly increasing population, Shillong is facing an acute problem of housing. Dwelling houses are built precariously hanging on the hill slopes; buildings are raised beyond the permissible height, ostensibly, for more accommodation. Steep hill cuttings, by the side of the houses are left open without making concrete retaining walls.
In the hill areas roads are frequently blocked by heavy landslides disrupting transport communication for several days. The Shillong-Guwahati road is the only means of outlet to Guwahati for the entire Khasi and Jaintia Hills. In case of blockade by landslide or earthquake, people will have to go without food and essential commodities for several weeks.
Earthquakes cause the most devastating natural disasters in the Indian subcontinent. The geographical statistics has shown that almost 54 % of India’s geographical area is vulnerable to earthquakes, out of which the Northeast, Zone No. 5 has been identified to be the highest active zone. During the last 122 years we have had two great earthquakes in the Northeast – one occurred on June 12, 1897, with 8.7 magnitude which took a toll of 1500 souls, primarily inhabiting Khasi Hills district, and the other earthquake occurred on 15 August, 1950, with 8.5 on the Richter scale killing 1530 people. The normal span of time between two seismic occurrences being about 50 years, as stated by scientists and seismologists, the Northeast is heading for the third earthquake any time from now.
According to Geological Survey of India, frequent tremors in the Northeast and other parts of the country, even if mild ones, could be precursors to major earthquakes in the highly sensitive Himalayan zone. Dr Sandip Some, the Deputy Director General of GSI said, fore-shocks, mild tremors preceding earthquakes or swarm activities, series of earthquakes indicate release of tectonic stress and strain. During recent times we have been witnessing frequent earthquakes of mild intensity occurring in different places in Northeast. Earthquakes measuring between 4.2 and 5.5 on the Richter scale have jolted two districts of Mizoram alone for more than 100 times during the past three months. A couple of days before Arunachal Pradesh had a tremor of substantial intensity. On October 10, evening Shillong experienced a sudden jolt. Experts fear that this might just be a prelude to a major disaster in the Northeast.
Now the million dollar question is, are we adequately prepared to face the catastrophe? In absence of proper earthquake management plans and effective implementation of all necessary measures, the disaster is sure to become a man made tragedy. There is a saying – earthquake does not kill but buildings do. They are the veritable human traps. Illegal construction of high-rise buildings, unplanned urbanization, rampant growth of slums, environmental degradation, climate change, all have combined together to build up a situation for potential human tragedy. We have never been serious about anything even though they have a vital bearing in our lives and properties.
Japan and New Zealand are the two most earthquake prone countries where building codes are strictly enforced and each building is rated according to its earthquake-resistance capability. We should follow their examples. The state Government should strictly enforce building bye-laws according to the earthquake prone zones prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) and in case of failure should impose heavy punishment. The Government and people should be more serious in implementing preventive measures. Precaution is the best policy ; if the experiences of the past human tragedies are taken as any wisdom for us and the ongoing signals of mild tremors are seriously heeded as warnings and due steps are taken to avert the situations, we can surely reduce the upcoming disasters to a great extent in the days to come.
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