The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating

earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and

intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is
driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1]
Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of
the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. A World Bank &
United Nations report shows estimates that around 200
million city dwellers in India will be exposed to storms and
earthquakes by 2050.[2] The latest version of seismic
zoning map of India given in the earthquake resistant
design code of India [IS 1893 (Part 1) 2002] assigns four
levels of seismicity for India in terms of zone factors. In
other words, the earthquake zoning map of India divides
India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5) unlike its
previous version which consisted of five or six zones for
the country. According to the present zoning map, Zone 5
expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is
associated with the lowest level of seismicity.
Center for Seismology
Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences is nodal
agency of Government of India dealing with various
activities in the field of seismology and allied disciplines.
The major activities currently being pursued by the Center
for Seismology include, a) earthquake monitoring on 24X7
basis, including real time seismic monitoring for early
warning of tsunamis, b) Operation and maintenance of
national seismological network and local networks c)
Seismological data centre and information services, d)

Seismic hazard and risk related studies e) Field studies for

aftershock / swarm monitoring, site response studies f)
earthquake processes and modelling, etc.[3] The MSK
(Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly
associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less),
VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5,
respectively, corresponding to Maximum Considered
Earthquake (MCE). The IS code follows a dual design
philosophy: (a) under low probability or extreme
earthquake events (MCE) the structure damage should
not result in total collapse, and (b) under more frequently
occurring earthquake events, the structure should suffer
only minor or moderate structural damage. The
specifications given in the design code (IS 1893: 2002) are
not based on detailed assessment of maximum ground
acceleration in each zone using a deterministic or
probabilistic approach. Instead, each zone factor
represents the effective period peak ground
accelerations that may be generated during the maximum
considered earthquake ground motion in that zone.
Each zone indicates the effects of an earthquake at a
particular place based on the observations of the affected
areas and can also be described using a descriptive scale
likeModified Mercalli intensity scale[4] or the Medvedev
SponheuerKarnik scale.[5]
Zone 5
Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risks zone that
suffers earthquakes of intensity MSK IX or greater. The IS
code assigns zone factor of 0.36 for Zone 5. Structural
designers use this factor for earthquake resistant design of

structures in Zone 5. The zone factor of 0.36 is indicative

of effective (zero period) level earthquake in this zone. It is
referred to as the Very High Damage Risk Zone. The
region of Kashmir, the western and central Himalayas,
North and Middle Bihar, the North-East Indian region and
the Rann of Kutch fall in this zone.
Generally, the areas having trap rock or basaltic rock are
prone to earthquakes.
Zone 4
This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone and
covers areas liable to MSK VIII. The IS code assigns zone
factor of 0.24 for Zone 4. The Indo-Gangetic basin and the
capital of the country (Delhi), Jammu and Kashmir fall in
Zone 4. In Maharashtra, the Patan area (Koyananager) is
also in zone no-4. In B ihar the northern part of the state
like- Raksaul, Near the border of India and Nepal, is also
in zone no-4 that "almost 80 percent of buildings in Delhi
will yield to a major quake and in case of an unfortunate
disaster, the political hub of India in Lutyens Delhi, the glitz
of Connaught Place and the magnificence of the Walled
City will all come crumbling down."
Saket Suman of The Statesman reported on New Delhi's
proximity to a major quake in his report [6][7]
Zone 3
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of Kashmir,
Western Himalayas fall under this zone. This zone is
classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone which is liable

to MSK VII. and also 7.8 The IS code assigns zone factor
of 0.16 for Zone 3.
Zone 2
This region is liable to MSK VI or less and is classified as
the Low Damage Risk Zone. The IS code assigns zone
factor of 0.10 (maximum horizontal acceleration that can
be experienced by a structure in this zone is 10% of
gravitational acceleration) for Zone 2.
Zone 1
Since the current division of India into earthquake hazard
zones does not use Zone 1, no area of India is classed as
Zone 1.
Future changes in the classification system may or may
not return this zone to use.

The following is a list of major earthquakes which have

occurred in India.

Da
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ath
s

9
dead
North East
, 100
Jan 23: India
injur
uary 05: see 2016
24.8 93.6 ed in
3,
16 Northeast
N
"E
Mani
201 UT India
pur
6
C
earthquak
&
e
Assa
m

Commen
ts

Regional
event that
affected
India,
6.7
Myanmar,
and
Banglades
h.

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s

260
in
Paki
stan
and
Octo
Afgh
09: Northern
ber
361 715 anist
09 India, Paki
26,
4'45 0'38 an
UT stan,Afgh
201
"N
"E
till
C
anistan
5
01.3
4 am
on
27
Oct'
15
Jun
e
28,
201
5

06: Dibrugarh, 26.5 90.1 0

35 Assam
N
E
IST

Commen
ts

7.7

3 injured
5.6
in Assam
earthquak
e, tremors
felt in
West
Bengal,
Meghalay

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ng

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ath
s

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ts

a and
Bhutan
Epicentre
17 km S of
Kodari,
Nepal; Felt
May
Northern
12:
27.7 85.9
in Delhi,
12,
India, Nort
35
94 74 121+ West
7.3
201
h East
IST
N
E
Bengal,
5
India
Bihar,
U.P.; 44
killed in
India
Aftershock
April
Northern
12:
27.7 85.9 After (Epicentre
26,
India, Nort
6.7
39
94 74 shoc 17 km S of [2]
201
h East
IST
N
E
k
Kodari,
5
India
Nepal)
April 12: Northern
25, 19 India
201 IST

28.1 84.8 After Aftershock 6.6

93 65 shoc (Epicentre [2]
N
E
k
49 km

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ath
s

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ts

east
of Lamjun
g,Nepal)

Epicentre
34 km
ESE
of Lamjun
g, Nepal.
April
Northern
11:
28.1 84.7
Felt in
25,
India, Nort
8900
7.8
41
47 08
eastern,
[3]
[5]
201
h East
+
IST
N
E
northern,
5
India
northeaste
rn India
and parts
of
Gujarat[4]
Mar
Andaman
ch
18:
and
21, 41
Nicobar
201 IST
Islands
4

7.6 94.4
0
N
E

Moderate
earthquak
e in
6.7
Andaman
Islands

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ng

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ath
s

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ts

9.9 94.0
0
N
E

Big
earthquak
e in
Andaman 6.2
and
Niocbar
Islands

Mar
ch
13:
28.6 77.4
5,
10 New Delhi
1
N
E
201 IST
2

Moderate
earthquak
e in
national
capital,
CBSE
5.2
Physics
board
exam
disrupted
in Delhi

Sept 18: Gangtok, 27.7 88.0 118

emb 10 Sikkim
23 64
er
IST see 2011 N
E
18,
Sikkim
2011
earthquak

Strong
6.9
earthquak
e in NE
India,
tremors

April
Andaman
08:
25,
and
45
201
Nicobar
IST
2
Islands

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ath
s

Andaman
Aug
Islands
ust 01: see 2009
14.1 92.8
10, 21 Andaman
26
N
E
200 IST Islands
9
earthquak
e

Commen
ts

felt in
Delhi,
Kolkata,
Lucknow
and Jaipur

Tsunami
Warning
issued

7.7

Octo 08: Kashmir

34.4 73.6 130, 95 km
7.6
ber 50 see 2005 93 29 000 (59 mi) NE
8,
IST Kashmir
N
E
of Islamab
200
earthquak
ad, Pakist
5
e
an,
125 km
(78 mi)
WNW
of Srinaga
r, Kangra,
Jammu

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ng

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ath
s

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ts

and
Kashmir, I
ndia (pop
894,000)
Third
off west
deadliest
coast
earthquak
northern
e in the
Dec
Sumatra I
history of
emb
ndia Sri
09:
the world,
er
LankaMal 3.30 95.8 283,
28
the
9.1
26,
dives
N
7E 106
IST
tsunami
200
see 2004
generated
4
Indian
killed
Ocean
15,000
earthquak
people in
e
India
Jan 08: Gujarat
23.6 69.8 20,0 Indian
7.6
uary 50 see Gujar N
E
00
Republic
/7.
26, IST at
Day
7
200
earthquak
Gujarat
1
e of 2001
earthquak
e,

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ts

thousands
killed
Chamoli
districtMar
Uttarakha
ch
00:
30.4 79.4 103
nd
29, 35
08 16 Appr
see 1999
199 IST
N
E
ox
Chamoli
9
earthquak
e

6.8

Aug
ust 04:
26.7 86.6
Udayapur,
~100 6,553
21, 40
55 16
Nepal
0
injured
198 IST
N
E
8

6.3

6.7

May
13: Jabalpur,
22,
41 Madhya
199
IST Pradesh
7

23.1 80.0
39
8N 2E

6.0

Sept 09: Latur, Ma

18.0 76.5 9,74

6.2

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emb
er
20
30,
IST
199
3

Lat

Lo
ng

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ath
s

harashtra
see 1993
Latur
8N
earthquak
e

2E

Locatio
n

Commen
ts

Uttarkashi
Octo
, Uttarakh
ber 02: and
30.7 78.4 >2,0
20, 53 see 1991
3N 5E 00
199 IST Uttarkashi
1
earthquak
e

7.0

Himachal
Jan
Pradesh
uary 13:
see 1975 32.4 78.4
19, 32
47
Kinnaur
6N 3E
197 IST
earthquak
5
e

6.8

July 15: Gujarat

21, 32 see 1956
195 IST Anjar

23.3 70.0 115

N
E

6.1

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earthquak
e

Largest
Arunachal
earthquak
Aug
Pradesh
e recorded
ust 19: see 1950
28.5 96.7 1,52 in
15, 22 Assam
8.6
N
E
6
mainland
195 IST Tibet
India since
0
earthquak
Independe
e
nce.

Jun
e
26,
194
1

Andaman
Triggered
Islands
a tsunami
08: see 1941
that
12.5 92.5 7,00
50 Andaman
affected
0N 7E 0
IST Islands
eastern
earthquak
India and
e
Sri Lanka

May 03: Quetta, B 28.8 66.3 30,0

31, 02 aluchistan 66 83 00 /
193 IST see 1935 N
E
60,0
5
Balochista
00

8.1

Deadliest 7.7
earthquak
e recorded
in the

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n
earthquak
e

Lat

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ng

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ath
s

Commen
ts

regions of
modernday
Pakistan
(then
undivided
India).

Nepal
Jan
Epicenter
see 1934
uary 14:
lies 10 km
Nepal
27.5 87.0 >10,
15, 13
south of
8.0
Bihar
5N 9E 000
193 IST
Mt.
earthquak
4
Everest.
e
April 01: Kangra
32.0 76.0 >20, It was a
7.8
4,
19 see 1905 1N 3E 000 major
190 IST Kangra
earthquak
5
earthquak
e that
e
occurred
in the
Kangra
Valley and
the
Kangra

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n

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ng

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ath
s

Commen
ts

region of
the Punjab
Province
(now
Himachal
Pradesh)
Jun
e
12,
189
7

Shillong, I
ndia
15:
see 1897 26
30
Assam
N
IST
earthquak
e

91
E

1,50
0

Dec 07: Andaman 8.52 92.4 0

emb 49 Islands
N
3E
er
IST see 1881
31,
Nicobar
188
Islands
1
earthquak
e

8.3

Earliest
7.9
earthquak
e for which
rupture
parameter
s have
been
estimated
instrument
ally (from
tide

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ng

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ath
s

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ts

gauges)

Jun
e
16,
181
9

18:
45
to
18:
50
loc
al
tim
e

Gujarat
Formed
see 1819
the Allah
Rann of
23.0 71.0 >1,5
Bund and
Kutch
N
E
43
Lake
earthquak
Sindri
e

8.2

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

What are the Harmful Effects of Earthquakes?

(1) Damage to human structures - Earthquakes
cause great damage to human structures such as buildings,
roads, rails, factories, dams, bridges etc, and thus cause heavy
damage to human property.
(2) Landslides-The shocks produced by earthquakes
particularly in hilly areas and mountains which are tectonically
sensitive causes landslides and debris fall on human settlements

and transport system on the lower slope segments, inflicting

damage to them.
(3) Fires- The strong vibrations caused by severe
earthquakes strongly shake the buildings and thus causing severe
fires in houses, mines and factories because of overturning of
cooking gas, contact of live electric wires, churning of blast
furnaces, displacement of other fire related and electric
appliances.
(4) Flash Floods- Strong seismic waves cause damage to
dams thereby causing severe flash floods. Severe floods are also
caused because of blocking of water flow of rivers due to rock
blocks and debris produced by severe tremors in the hill slopes
facing the river valleys. Sometimes the blockage is so severe
that rivers change their main course.
(5) Deformation of Ground surface- severe tremors
and resultant vibrations caused by earthquakes result in the
deformation of ground surface because of rise and subsidence of
ground surface and faulting activity( formation of faults).
(6) Tsunamis- The seismic waves caused by
earthquake( measuring more than 7 on richter scale) travelling
through sea water generate high sea waves and cause great loss
of life and property.

DISATER MANAGEMENT-ROLE OF STUDENTS

IN A LOT OF NATIONS LATE TEENAGERS ARE PART
OF 'EMERGENCY RESCUE TEAMS' - MOSTLY THE

TRAINING GOES SIDE BY SIDE ALONG WITH

'COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING' PROGRAMS.
I WOULD LIKE TO NEGATE STUDENT COMMUNITY
FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE SINCE THAT IS A
HIGHLY SPECIALIZED JOB AND SHOULD BE LEFT TO
PROFESSIONALS.
THE BASIC ROLE OF THE STUDENT, IN MY OPINION,
IS AWARENESS OF WHAT TO DO DURING AND
AFTER DISASTERS. THIS WOULD LESSEN
PANICKING, PARANOID AND UNCONTROLLABLE
PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND. ALSO, KNOWING WHAT
TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES WILL ALSO
LESSEN THE DEATH TOLL. KNOWING WHAT TO DO
AFTER DISASTER, AND AT LEAST BASIC FIRST AID,
WILL ENABLE STUDENTS HELP THE AUTHORITIES IN
SAVING LIVES.
IF STUDENTS ARE WELL TRAINED THEN IF THERE IS
A DISASTER THEY ARE ABLE TO PROTECT
THEMSELVES AND THEY CAN ALSO HELP OTHERS.
STUDENT BRANCH IS THE MOST WELL INFORMED
BRANCH OF COMMUNITY. THEY CAN SPREAD
AWARENESS ABOUT DISASTER MANAGEMENT.

ALSO THEY CAN FORM ASSOCIATION TO HELP IN

TIMES OF DISASTER.
CHILDREN CAN HELP IN MANAGING DISASTERS IN
MANY WAYS FEW OF THEM ARE: STUDENTS CAN HELP IN REHABILITATION AND
RESETTLEMENT OF VICTIMS
THEY CAN SPREAD AWARENESS THROUGH
RALLIES IN STREETS
VOLUNTEER IN THE INFORMATION CENTERS AND
FORM ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE DISASTER-DAY
PROVIDE THE VICTIMS WITH BASIC NEEDS
PREVENTING DISASTERS AT HOME - STOPPING
BUILDING FIRES DUE TO PETTY REASONS LIKE A
SHORT CIRCUIT

STUDENTS CAN HELP IN REHABILITATION AND

RESETTLEMENT OF VICTIMS

 THEY CAN SPREAD AWARENESS THROUGH

RALLIES IN STREETS
VOLUNTEER IN THE INFORMATION CENTRES AND
FORM ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE DISASTER-DAY
PROVIDE THE VICTIMS WITH BASIC NEEDS
PREVENTING DISASTERS AT HOME - STOPPING
BUILDING FIRES DUE TO PETTY REASONS LIKE A
SHORT CIRCUIT.
STUDENTS HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN
MANAGING DISASTERS. THEY CAN:
SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT DISASTERS AND TIPS
TO HANDLE THEM.
ORGANISE MOCK CAMPS IN THEIR HOLIDAYS IN
NEIGHBORING VILLAGES TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO
COPE UP WITH DISASTERS LIKE EARTHQUAKES
BE PART OF 'EMERGENCY RESCUE TEAMS' MOSTLY THE TRAINING GOES SIDE BY SIDE ALONG
WITH 'COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING'
PROGRAMS (ANOTHER OPINION: SEARCH AND
RESCUE IS A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED JOB AND
SHOULD BE LEFT TO PROFESSIONALS)
A BIG ASPECT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT IS
PREPAREDNESS.

THE BASIC ROLE OF THE STUDENT IS AWARENESS

OF WHAT TO DO DURING AND AFTER DISASTERS.
THIS WOULD LESSEN PANICKING, PARANOID AND
UNCONTROLLABLE PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND.
KNOWING WHAT TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
WILL ALSO LESSEN THE DEATH TOLL. KNOWING
WHAT TO DO AFTER DISASTER, AND AT LEAST
BASIC FIRST AID, WILL ENABLE STUDENTS HELP
THE AUTHORITIES IN SAVING LIVES.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
DISASTERS HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE.
AND WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, YOU MAY NOT HAVE
MUCH TIME TO RESPOND. AN EARTHQUAKE,
FLOOD, TORNADO, WINTER STORM, HIGHWAY SPILL
OR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OR ANY OTHER
DISASTER COULD CUT WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND
TELEPHONES-FOR DAYS, REQUIRE EVACUATION OR
CONFINE YOUR FAMILY AT HOME FOR DAYS.
AFTER A DISASTER, LOCAL OFFICIALS AND RELIEF
WORKERS WILL BE ON THE SCENE, BUT THEY
CANNOT REACH EVERYONE IMMEDIATELY. YOU
COULD GET HELP IN HOURS, OR IT MAY TAKE DAYS.

SO WE SHOULD BE AWARE AND PREPARED TO

COPE WITH THE EMERGENCY UNTIL HELP ARRIVES.
EARTHQUAKES: SAFETY TIPS
BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO
FORMULATE A SAFETY PLAN.
ALWAYS KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN A DESIGNATED
PLACE: BOTTLED DRINKING WATER, NONPERISHABLE FOOD (CHURA, GUR, ETC), FIRST-AID
KIT, TORCHLIGHT AND BATTERY-OPERATED RADIO
WITH EXTRA BATTERIES.
TEACH FAMILY MEMBERS HOW TO TURN OFF
ELECTRICITY, GAS, ETC.
IDENTIFY PLACES IN THE HOUSE THAT CAN
PROVIDE COVER DURING AN EARTHQUAKE.
IT MAY BE EASIER TO MAKE LONG DISTANCE CALLS
DURING AN EARTHQUAKE. IDENTIFY AN OUT-OFTOWN RELATIVE OR FRIEND AS YOUR FAMILY'S
EMERGENCY CONTACT. IF THE FAMILY MEMBERS
GET SEPARATED AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE AND ARE

NOT ABLE TO CONTACT EACH OTHER, THEY

SHOULD CONTACT THE DESIGNATED
RELATIVE/FRIEND. THE ADDRESS AND PHONE
NUMBER OF THE CONTACT PERSON/RELATIVE
SHOULD BE WITH ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS.
CONSIDER RETROFITTING YOUR HOUSE WITH
EARTHQUAKE-SAFETY MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD
YOUR HOUSE. REINFORCING THE FOUNDATION AND
FRAME COULD MAKE YOUR HOUSE QUAKE
RESISTANT. YOU MAY CONSULT A REPUTABLE
CONTRACTOR AND FOLLOW BUILDING CODES.
KUTCHHA BUILDING CAN ALSO BE RETROFITTED
AND STRENGTHENED.
DURING THE EARTHQUAKE: EARTHQUAKES GIVE
NO WARNING AT ALL. SOMETIMES, A LOUD
RUMBLING SOUND MIGHT SIGNAL ITS ARRIVAL A
FEW SECONDS AHEAD OF TIME. THOSE FEW
SECONDS COULD GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO MOVE
TO A SAFER LOCATION. HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR
KEEPING SAFE DURING A QUAKE.

TAKE COVER. GO UNDER A TABLE OR OTHER

STURDY FURNITURE; KNEEL, SIT, OR STAY CLOSE
TO THE FLOOR. HOLD ON TO FURNITURE LEGS FOR
BALANCE. BE PREPARED TO MOVE IF YOUR COVER
MOVES.
IF NO STURDY COVER IS NEARBY, KNEEL OR SIT
CLOSE TO THE FLOOR NEXT TO A STRUCTURALLY
SOUND INTERIOR WALL. PLACE YOUR HANDS ON
THE FLOOR FOR BALANCE.
DO NOT STAND IN DOORWAYS. VIOLENT MOTION
COULD CAUSE DOORS TO SLAM AND CAUSE
SERIOUS INJURIES. YOU MAY ALSO BE HIT BY
FLYING OBJECTS.
MOVE AWAY FROM WINDOWS, MIRRORS,
BOOKCASES AND OTHER UNSECURED HEAVY
OBJECTS.
IF YOU ARE IN BED, STAY THERE AND COVER
YOURSELF WITH PILLOWS AND BLANKETS.
DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE IF YOU ARE INSIDE. NEVER
USE THE LIFT.

IF YOU ARE LIVING IN A KUTCHA HOUSE, THE BEST

THING TO DO IS TO MOVE TO AN OPEN AREA
WHERE THERE ARE NO TREES, ELECTRIC OR
TELEPHONE WIRES.
MOVE INTO THE OPEN, AWAY FROM BUILDINGS,
STREETLIGHTS, AND UTILITY WIRES. ONCE IN THE
OPEN STAY THERE UNTIL THE SHAKING STOPS.

IF YOUR HOME IS BADLY DAMAGED, YOU WILL HAVE

TO LEAVE. COLLECT WATER, FOOD, MEDICINE,
OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS AND IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS BEFORE LEAVING.
AVOID PLACES WHERE THERE ARE LOOSE
ELECTRICAL WIRES AND DO NOT TOUCH METAL
OBJECTS THAT ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE LOOSE
WIRES.
DO NOT RE-ENTER DAMAGED BUILDINGS AND STAY
AWAY FROM BADLY DAMAGED STRUCTURES.

IF IN MOVING VEHICLES: MOVE TO A CLEAR AREA

AWAY FROM BUILDINGS, TREES, OVERPASSES, OR
UTILITY WIRES, STOP, AND STAY IN THE VEHICLE.
ONCE THE SHAKING HAS STOPPED, PROCEED WITH
CAUTION. AVOID BRIDGES OR RAMPS THAT MIGHT
HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE QUAKE.
AFTER THE QUAKE: HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO
KEEP IN MIND AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE. THE
CAUTION YOU DISPLAY IN THE AFTERMATH CAN BE
ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY:
WEAR SHOES/CHAPPALS TO PROTECT YOUR FEET
FROM DEBRIS.
AFTER THE FIRST TREMOR, BE PREPARED FOR
AFTERSHOCKS. THOUGH LESS INTENSE,
AFTERSHOCKS CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGES AND
MAY BRING DOWN WEAKENED STRUCTURES.
AFTERSHOCKS CAN OCCUR IN THE FIRST HOURS,
DAYS, WEEKS, OR EVEN MONTHS AFTER THE
QUAKE.
CHECK FOR FIRE HAZARDS AND USE TORCHLIGHTS
INSTEAD OF CANDLES OR LANTERNS.

IF THE BUILDING YOU LIVE IN IS IN A GOOD SHAPE

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, STAY INSIDE AND LISTEN
FOR RADIO ADVISES. IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN
ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO YOUR BUILDING,
EVACUATE CAREFULLY. DO NOT TOUCH DOWNED
POWER LINE.
HELP INJURED OR TRAPPED PERSONS. GIVE FIRST
AID WHERE APPROPRIATE. DO NOT MOVE
SERIOUSLY INJURED PERSONS UNLESS THEY ARE IN
IMMEDIATE DANGER OF FURTHER INJURY. IN SUCH
CASES, CALL FOR HELP.
REMEMBER TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS WHO MAY
REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE-INFANTS, THE
ELDERLY, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
LISTEN TO A BATTERY-OPERATED RADIO FOR THE
LATEST EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
STAY OUT OF DAMAGED BUILDINGS.

RETURN HOME ONLY WHEN AUTHORITIES SAY IT IS

SAFE. CLEAN UP SPILLED MEDICINES, BLEACHES
OR GASOLINE OR OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
IMMEDIATELY. LEAVE THE AREA IF YOU SMELL GAS
OR FUMES FROM OTHER CHEMICALS. OPEN
CLOSET AND CUPBOARD DOORS CAUTIOUSLY.
IF YOU SMELL GAS OR HEAR HISSING NOISE, OPEN
WINDOWS AND QUICKLY LEAVE THE BUILDING.
TURN OFF THE SWITCH ON THE TOP OF THE GAS
CYLINDER.
LOOK FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DAMAGES - IF YOU
SEE SPARKS, BROKEN WIRES, OR IF YOU SMELL
BURNING OF AMBER, TURN OFF ELECTRICITY AT
THE MAIN FUSE BOX. IF YOU HAVE TO STEP IN
WATER TO GET TO THE FUSE BOX, CALL AN
ELECTRICIAN FIRST FOR ADVICE.
CHECK FOR SEWAGE AND WATER LINES DAMAGE.
IF YOU SUSPECT SEWAGE LINES ARE DAMAGED,
AVOID USING THE TOILETS. IF WATER PIPES ARE
DAMAGED, AVOID USING WATER FROM THE TAP.

USE THE TELEPHONE ONLY FOR EMERGENCY

CALLS.
IN CASE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE SEPARATED FROM
ONE ANOTHER DURING AN EARTHQUAKE (A REAL
POSSIBILITY DURING THE DAY WHEN ADULTS ARE
AT WORK AND CHILDREN ARE AT SCHOOL),
DEVELOP A PLAN FOR REUNITING AFTER THE
DISASTER. ASK AN OUT OF STATE / DISTRICT
RELATIVE OR FRIEND TO SERVE AS THE "FAMILY
CONTACT". MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
KNOWS THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE
NUMBER(S) OF THE CONTACT PERSON (S).