Earthquake with its epicentre ten kilometres below the crest of the earth and about 17 miles north of Bhaderwah rattled the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Kathua around 12.27 P.M. Losses in terms of human life have been small taking into account the potential of an earthquake to wreck disaster. One person is killed and nearly 80 injured. Some students have fainted. But damages to the structures are said to be massive and proper assessment is underway.
Before anything else, we express our sympathy and concern for the affected people and wish them strength and fortitude to overcome the trauma and resume normal life. The strategy of responding to this natural calamity is twofold. First immediate rescue and relief operations should commence in full force, and second proper assessment of the damages done to structures should be undertaken on war footing. It is satisfying that the entire Government machinery swung into action within minutes of the quake. District administration, police and all concerned departments are reported to have activated their wings and converged on the scene of disaster. State Disaster Response Force, the organization supposed to provide rapid relief and rescue in events of natural calamities has been activated through a directive from the Chief Minister. The administration shown great sense of responsibility by immediately coordinating rescue and relief operations in the worst affected areas in Bhaderwah and Gandoh. Even the defence forces stationed in Udhampur was approached to airlift a seriously injured child for immediate treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu. Two pilots did a heroic deed in airlifting the child and thus coming to the help of the civilian population in times of need as is the tradition of Indian armed forces.
According to available information, damage to Government and private buildings, structures, complexes has been widespread. Houses are reported to have found cracks in walls and roofs. In particular, large member of school buildings have been damaged and in many cases students have received injuries because of damages to the school buildings. The children need to be provided medical and financial support. Road and telecom connectivity has also suffered serious damages. Doda –Bhaderwah road was blocked for some time owing to landslides coming down from hills through which the road passes. But these are only preliminary reports. As assessment progresses, the true picture of damages will emerge in totality which we are afraid could be much bigger than what we may imagine. A vast population lives in foothills particularly in Bhaderwah – Chamba sector and access to some of these villages is difficult.
Aftershocks have scared the people so much that several of them could not summon courage to go back to their homes. Entire population of the affected areas came out on the open for fear of buildings crumbling down and crushing them under the debris. But there are some lessons to be learnt.
One stark reality is that this entire area is on the seismic map of the State and established quake prone, whether moderate of acute. It is believed that houses made of concrete cement and mortar are more resistant to tremors than those made of mud and timber. If it could be possible for the Government to draw a long term plan to induce people to change the construction pattern of residential house, maybe it would be a step in the direction of reducing the losses that ordinarily happen during the earthquakes. This cannot be done in one go but if there is a well considered plan, people would like to respond to it favourably.
Secondly now that the alarm bells are ringing, it is desirable that the Government takes precautionary measures in advance keeping in mind that this is an earthquake prone area. A rapid disaster control detachment should be stationed somewhere in this regain with all such paraphernalia as would be handy in time of emergency. This is a hilly area and road connectivity is not that efficient. Therefore alternative means of accessibility shall have to be explored. Wireless connectivity is of much importance and the administration should not depend entirely on landline which can get disrupted owing to landslides of mudslides. Modern methods of road clearance and bridge building have to be part of this exercise. It would also be desirable if a calamity rescue ward is established in Doda, Bhaderwah and Ramban District Hospitals that could exclusively cater to the needs of the victims of earthquake or accidental fire and other mishaps.
The administration should teams to make on spot assessment of damages to the structures or loss of cattle suffered by the village people in the entire area so that necessary relief can be provided to them.
This is all in fitness of things. But the civil society in the State also needs to be galvanized into action. These are the incidents that should inspire the civil society to come forward voluntarily and render whatever support it can for the sufferers of the quake. It would be in fitness of things if a Quake Relief Fund is instituted and the public are exhorted to donate lavishly to the fund, which will be utilized for reconstruction of thousands of residential and commercial structures that have suffered cracks and leaks.
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