Opt For Quake Preparedness

Bini Dahal

On 1st of January, 2024, Japan was hit with a massive earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude on the Richter scale. The disaster happened on Noto peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture. Earthquakes generally occur because of the movement of tectonic plates. This East Asian nation is situated among four tectonic plates. 

News reports have it that Japan is one of such countries where 18 per cent of earthquakes happen all because of the overly active plates. Not just earthquakes, Japan is highly prone to volcanoes and tsunamis as well. The country is part of the Ring of Fire which comprises fifteen nations. 

As this article is being written, the number of casualties has reached sixty-two. It is said that more than 100 buildings and 1,000 homes of the people have been destroyed. The Japanese government has also warned of aftershocks and possible incidents of landslides. This incident that took place at the start of New Year is very painful. However, Japan is known for its earthquake-resilient buildings and its technologies. 

So, as compared to other countries, the casualties are comparatively low. The country mainly makes use of three kinds of structures namely: Taishin, Seishin and Menshin structures. 

The Taishin structure is the basic one that every building should follow. It is mainly concerned with building thick pillars, walls and beams so as to absorb the shaking. 

In the case of Seishin structure, thick rubber pads or mats are used in the foundation of a building, especially a high rise one. And the Menshin structure focusses on using lead, steel and thick layers of rubber on the base of the building to minimise the force of earthquake on upper frames of the building. These types of earthquake resilient designs really help prevent large casualties and damage of properties from happening. 

Like in Japan, earthquakes are a frequent occurrence in Nepal, too. The Himalayan nation stands on the boundary of two tectonic plates namely Indian and Eurasian plates. 

Our building construction system is in question considering the huge damage caused by the mega earthquake of 2015, and the recent one in the far-western region. It is a known fact that we do not have earthquake-resilient buildings. Even the existing building codes are not stringent enough to protect us.

In urban centres like Kathmandu, the demand for accommodating more and more people has forced people to build high-rise buildings, without any care of what possibly an earthquake can cause. People are found defying the building codes and a lack of monitoring mechanism from the side of the authority makes it all the more difficult. Our memory is quite short-lived. The discussion stretches as long as the earthquake and its tremors are felt. 

It is limited to knowing the state of destruction caused to properties and suffering to people and nothing more. Incorporating earthquake-resilient designs is an expensive move and without strict push from the government and with people’s own awareness, nothing can happen. Japan’s resilient buildings are a motivation for countries around the world to head towards such designs. 

While it is impossible to stop earthquake tremors, the least we can do is be prepared for what comes ahead. It is high time the countries learnt a lesson and took necessary actions. Where there is a will, there is a way should be the kind of attitude that earthquake and other disaster-prone nations should take up.