Devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria on Monday leading to the death of around eight thousand and the damage of hundreds of buildings. According to several sources including the BBC, huge earthquakes — two of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in a century — hit in southern Turkey and northern Syria. At the epicenter, near the Turkey-Syria border, the first one struck at 7.8 magnitudes and the second one hit at the magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale. Rescue operations, participated by Turkish rescuers and rescuers from several countries, are going on but the death toll may be several folds. But the high death toll and damage driven by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes have raised concern among many in the world.
Definitely, earthquakes, the natural result of movements by tectonic plates in the outermost layer of the planet, occur in many countries and it is impossible — or, at least, there is not yet any means — to prevent earthquakes. Moreover, many earthquakes hit at 7.0 or higher magnitude with the possibility of more deaths. According to the US Geological Survey, 16 earthquakes hit the world each year at 7.0 or higher magnitude. Thus far, the highest magnitude of the earthquake (9.5) hit Valdivia of Chile in 1960 leading to around 6000 deaths and the most devastating earthquake in terms of deaths occurred at 9.2 magnitudes in 2004 leading to Tsunamis affecting several countries including Japan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and killing more than 300000 people.
Since it is impossible to prevent earthquakes from their occurrences, the reduction of death tolls and property damages from earthquakes is important across the world. Surely, there are efforts at the pre-earthquake stage such as forecast and early warning systems, during the earthquake including taking cover and holding on (if inside) and getting into an open area (if outside) and at the post-earthquake stage such as timely and efficient rescue efforts and immediate treatments that are employed across countries. While steps during the earthquake and at the post-earthquake stage are important to save lives and properties, accurate forecasts and early warning systems are more effective in saving lives as they provide the scope of leaving the risky areas.
It is desired that efforts to reduce death tolls and property damages from earthquakes are made more effective across the world. In this respect, raising awareness about safety steps during earthquakes and improving timely rescue efforts with required training and immediate treatment services are imperative. But emphasis also needs to be given to the pre-earthquake steps. Although governments and urban planners in many countries have increased their efforts to make earthquake tolerable buildings, more needs to be done in this respect especially in earthquake prone countries. Even if notable improvements are made in the forecast and warning systems, they are not yet enough. Thus, efforts also need to be strengthened for accurate forecasts and early warnings.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
