Talk on "War On Earthquakes: Civil Defense Through Awareness" at Rotary International

Chandigarh, June 1, 2015: In a talk "War On Earthquakes: Civil Defense Through Awareness" at Rotary International ,Chandigarh, well known environment & earth scientist Prof Arun Deep Ahluwalia (Ex HOD Geology Department, Panjab University emphasized that Panjab University was doing this outreach before World Environment Day as a  responsibility towards society  and public safety. Ahluwalia emphasized that City Beautiful was situated right on the PINJORE-CHANDIGARH Fault which has been active a few centuries back and  lessons learnt from nearly 300 shocks in Nepal  must not be forgotten. He said seismologists have been expecting a massive quake much bigger than Assam,Kangra and Bihar where millions could die if houses are not made safer by use of science & technology and a system is not evolved to fight the calamity on a war footing similar to civil defense done in 1962, 1965,1971  wars.   We need to create a national mindset to fight a war on Earthquake & save lives and buildings by scientific temper and systematic action.

Surely all educational institutes have a big role; it is time to adopt a fighting spirit & not give up in despair. Geologists do not know the exact date and time but their apprehensions are backed by solid science logic as Himalayas is the most dynamic, highest and youngest mountain range born out of cataclystic events resukting from collision and subduction of Indian plate with Eurasian plate where movement was ever going on.

He cleared that geologists'  target is to save a huge humiliation we may suffer if India was caught unprepared when the mother of all Himalayan quakes strikes. He lamented that unlike USGS, not GSI but MET DEPT monitors quakes in our country. We must correct this situation.The Japanese mindset can for sure be our golden standard.  Picking from USGS message to public, Ahluwalia cited simple measures each family can take before, during and after earthquake to minimize loss of life viz.

1.;US Geological Survey Earthquake Preparedness 

What can I expect in my house when an EQ occurs? How do I identify it? What can be done? The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous:   Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. IDENTIFY: Look around your house for things that could fall or move. Ask yourself if your cupboard doors could fly open (allowing dishes to shatter on the floor).   Is TV and stereo fastened down and are shelves

fastened to wall? Do you have hanging plants or light fixtures that might fall? Is there a heavy picture or mirror on the wall over your bed?  WHAT CAN BE DONE: You can install door latches, braces and fasteners to

fix most of these hazards yourself.

2.  What should I do during an EQ?

If you are INDOORS--STAY THERE! (Get under a desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the bldg is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.   If you are OUTSIDE-- get into the OPEN, away from bldgs, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.   If you are DRIVING--stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.   If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA--watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.

3.What emergency supplies do I need?

Fire extinguisher   Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking   Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies   First-aid kit and handbook   Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries   Portable radio with extra batteries   Water for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources   Canned and package foods, enough for several days and MECHANICAL can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary   Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children)

Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal.

4.What do I do after an earthquake?

WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks  Check For Injuries If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, 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  Check For Hazards Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve Only if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them Spills--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas Downed Or Damaged Chimneys--Approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start fire or let poisonous gases into your house Fallen Items--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards Check Food And Water Supplies--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days Don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (Avoid drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many. / (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)