Remembering the Devastating Earthquake 2005

Saturday October 8, 2005 was a holiday and I was fast asleep having slept very late at night when a powerful jolt almost threw me out of my bed. Earthquake ! I yelled and all my family ran out of the house. Once outside everyone wanted to know hoe deadly was the quake. And then the gravity of the quake dawned on TV.

It started off with the collapse of Margalla Towers in Islamabad - but since no other damage reports had been received form elsewhere, everyone thought all was OK. But it wasn't.

Up in the northern areas of Pakistan and Kashmir, still unknown to many, something terrible has had happened. Villages after villages had perished as the 7.6 Richter scale strong earthquake had hit Balakot, Mansehra, Muzzaffarabad and adjoining areas. In just few second almost 79,000 people had scummed to the quake, while it rendered 3-4 million homeless.

Pakistan Army reacted very promptly and soon thousands of soldiers were on their way to the northern areas with earth removing equipment, medicines, tents and relief good. The devastation had been enormous. The casualties were four times more than the Tsunami that struck parts of Asia and Indonesia. While access of aid workers and rescuers to Tsunami affected areas was swift owing to its flat terrain and generally coastal areas, the relief work in one of the most rugged mountain terrain of Pakistan had been a tough challenge for the Pakistan Army and other relief workers. Most of the areas were only accessible by helicopters since all roads gave away to landslides. 

It was ironic that world reacted to Tsunami with over 4000 helicopters and thousands of rescue and relief workers, but when more devastation occurred in Pakistan, only a handful of helicopters could be spared by world community, not even totaling 50. 

The earthquake affected areas were suffering from extremes of winter cold and snow fall (6 out of the 10 world's highest mountains are in this region). The 4 million people were left to shiver and die in the absence of meaningful aid, specially the temporary hutments and shelters. Due to the inaccessibility of the area to heavy earth removing machinery, most of the dead remained buried under the rubble for a long time- the stench of dead bodies could still be felt in the "cemented grave yards" for many weeks.

I was on leave on that day, but I hurriedly rushed back to my place of duty and I found our hospital full of injured - majority needing immediate major surgery as these had multiple fractures all over their bodies. Since all hospitals were loaded with the injured, we had to rely on only one surgeon, Colonel Taseer, who assisted by other doctors worked day and night, operating upon the injured and fixing their fractures one after the other. But the casualties kept pouring in for another week, till more space was created in major hospitals.

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I remember two brothers from Muzzaffarabad who had their both legs fractured but they braved their pain with smiles and determination. 

Much has been done to restore the quake hit areas. New buildings and schools have come up with new roads made and the work still continues. But the wounds of the soul will never be able to heal as those who lost their near and dear ones will never forget that dreadful day when wrath of nature fell on them.

Let us all pray that we be saved from such calamities and the wounds of the soul be healed of those who suffered.  

Read more about it in Pakistanpaedia

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A Japanese boy's spirit of sacrifice

Awhile ago, I wrote a post "Do the Japanese believe in God more than others?" It carried the unmoving tales of sacrifice, courage, determination, strength of character of the Japanese and resolve to fight back a calamity from the Nature. But today, I received an e-mail from a friend, carrying a unique example of the spirit of sacrifice which to me is unparalleled of its kind, specially in an hour of extreme distress and need. And I thought I must share it with my viewers so that we ponder over more on my earlier question: Do the Japanese believe in God more than others?

The letter, written by a Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres. " Shanghai Daily condensed it.

This is how the letter reads:

Brother, How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies. Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks. We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere. I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide.

supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean. Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being. Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?" The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

.... Ha Minh Thanh

Related Links: | Earthquakes | Floods |

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Do the Japanese believe in God more than others?

The earthquake that hit Japan recently followed by waves of tsunami has left people of the world pondering over the resilience, perseverance, determination and faith of the Japanese people. There were no scenes of lamenting and chest beating seen anywhere after the disaster hit. Although people had tears for the near and dear ones that perished, but no one lamented and cursed God for the disaster. That is something that makes all of us wonder whether the Japanese really believe in God more than us?

Look at us (I mean everyone around the globe) when a tragedy hits us. We lament, beat our chests and cry out loud to ask God why us!! But here they stood, strong, unnerved and determined to take stock of the situation rather than making hue and cry.  Unlike many advanced countries of the world who champion themselves as model for other, these poor fragile people showed strength of character and moral fiber.  There were no reported incidents of looting, rather people joined hands together to help carry their salvaged luggage to safer places. I remember a TV footage long ago when there was one hour electricity failure in New York, and people of this “great city” looted stores and raped women. But in total contrast, there prevailed a unique calm and order, as if everyone knew what to do when a disaster hits.

There have been many reported incidents when super store owners, asked people to take everything for free. And when the stores ran out of supplies, people who had surplus brought back to stores to share with those still in need.

Then there is a tale of a man who took out his boat against the tsunami, braved the formidable walls of roaring water and rode over many tsunami waves. He knew the danger that was coming, the risks he was taking, but he put his own in danger in the hope that by saving his boat, he will be able to come back and help his fellow citizens much more than if he had simply ran like other to higher ground to save his own soul. After reaching the clear seas, he then came back and since then he has been transporting people free of cost. Some who have money give him a paltry sum for his fuel costs.

Despite the damage and the loss, people showed dignity and calm. The stayed in lines to get water and other aid goods. No one was seen rushing, jumping over the relief trucks and snatching relief goods. At no place there was chaos or rushing over. Rather some people gave way for other to get aid first than them. People showed grace and got only what they needed and did not insist on more than their needs.

In many cases, when electricity went out in stores, people put the things back on the racks and left the stores and waited outside, rather than taking things away under the blanket of darkness and slipping away without paying.

And above all, there was no media hype, no exaggerated reports or no labeling by any media of “having reached the area first” or “reporting before others.” The media behaved responsibly and it felt as if they were too helping the government in their efforts to reach out to people and help, rather than scoring point.

This reminded me of many incidents of breaking lines, taking things forcibly and denying the same for other affected people standing by, when disaster hit our country not very long ago. People stopped aid trucks from going further to affected people further ahead and took away everything the trucks carried. This denied people further away of any relief goods for days. This also reminds me of the role of media which lamented more than people and only reported negatively to undermine the efforts of the government and aid workers. The lady news reporters roamed in the area wearing creased colourful clothes with visible make up as if reporting a fashion show. And the VIPs visited, though days after, with clean creased clothes and distributing money mere show offs rather than showing any semblance of real grief and pain.

And before I forget, did anyone see buildings falling after almost 9 magnitude earthquake and many aftershocks there after? Perhaps none as the earthquake proof buildings really stood ground and spoke volumes of the ability and the honesty of the people who built these multistoried buildings. And that is the reason that the death toll was very minimal and whatever happened was because of tsunami and not because of falling buildings and debris. We vividly remember crumbling of our infrastructure, rather a total devastation of buildings in our earthquake of 2005. Even the posh and expensive Margalla Towers crumbled.

All this really makes me wonder and ponder whether we really believe in God more than Japanese? I am afraid it seems the other way round. 

Originally posted in JahoJalal

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Massive earthquake rocks Japan

Japan’s eastern coastal areas were hit by a massive earthquake of the magnitude of 8.9 at the Richter scale on Friday afternoon. The earthquake is considered to be the most severe in Japan’s otherwise quake prone history. Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, accounting for about 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater. The quake was immediately followed by 23 feet high Tsunami waves that swept away everything that came its way. Even large naval vessels were seen being swept away helplessly.

Footage from Aljazeera TV

This earthquake is considered to be the fifth severest during the last 100 years. It was anotch higher than the quake that hit Chile last year that had a rating of 8.8. There are reports of fires, and missing of two trains, besides many accounts of falling buildings and death toll that is likely to rise. 

The epicenter of the earthquake is said to be at the depth of 24.4 kilometres, 130 km (80 miles) east of Sendai, Honshu, Japan. It has also been reported that the Japanese government has ordered for the evacuation of thousands of residents near the nuclear power plant in Onahama as the plant's system was unable to cool the reactor and pressure inside is rising. The reactor's core remained hot even after a shutdown, and a radiation leak was seen as possible. The plant is 170 miles northeast of Tokyo.

Owing to the massivity of the earthquake, the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii has issued warning for Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. Tsunami watches have also been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hawaii and the entire western coast of the US and Canada, from the Mexican border to Chignik Bay in Alaska.

We pray fro the safety of the people of Japan from this great calamity. It may be noted here that Japan was one of the few countries that rendered immediate and timely assistance and help to Pakistan when a 7.6 strong quake jolted Pakistan on 5th October 2005 that left close to 100,000 people dead, beside large scale destruction of infrastructure and buildings.

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Earthquake jolts Pakistan – The depth serves as a savior

An earthquake measuring 7.2 at the Richter scale jolted south-western Pakistan, in a desert area bordering Iran and Afghanistan last night at around 1:23 AM. The quake had its epicenter some 55 km (34 miles) west of Dalbandin in the Balochistan province, at a depth of 84km (52 miles). In an initial report the depth of the epicenter was calculated as 10 kilometers, but later corrected to 84 kilometres. God forbids if the depth was as shallow as 10 km, this could have been another major disaster for Pakistan, which is still recovering from the after effects of the deadly flash floods that swept away million of houses last year in July.

It may be recalled that an earlier in October 2005, an earthquake of 7.6-magnitude hit northern areas of Pakistan which left some 73,000 people dead and a large number incapacitated/injured, beside causing major destruction and damage to communication infrastructure, buildings and roads.

Besides across all over Pakistan, the quake was also felt as far away as Delhi, India, and the Gulf emirates of Dubai and Qatar. In Pakistan, the ttremors lasted for some 20. People in the remote area of Balochistan resorted to aerial firing to wake up people asleep at almost midnight.

No major damage has been reported so far. However a friend of mine in Karachi who lives in a high rise apartment told me on telephone that he felt as if the entire building was swaying when the quake occurred.

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Remembering that dreadful morning of 8th October 2005

The morning of 8th October 2005 was no different from the previous mornings for many decades in Pakistan till about 8:50 am when a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted Pakistan's northern areas of Balakot, Mansehra and many parts of Azad Kashmir (Pakistan administered part of Kashmir) including its capital Muzaffarabad, besides Rawlakot and Bagh. Within next ten minutes, the entire cities perished and turned into piles of rubble. As the daily scores rose, an estimated 100,000 lost their lives, 3-4 millions became homeless, including over 80-90,000 seriously wounded. A majority of the people who died consisted of school and college students.

As the days went by, the damage reports swelled. We lost some 600,000 houses, completely razed to ground, 7,000 schools totally destroyed (burying under them smiling children who had left their mothers with their innocent smiles just an hour ago). The powerful quake destroyed over 200 link bridges that made rescue operations extremely difficult. Hats off to the soldiers of Pakistan Army, who carried food and clothes in their backpacks to climb the treacherous mountains to reach to the people left in the open and who brought back sick and wounded on their backs on their way back. The overall losses were around $ 5.5 billion.

Five years after today, although much damage has been restored, there are still many who have yet to be rehabilitated. Many schools are still to be built and countless people long for the rebuilding of their houses that turned into rubble. While the world wide opened its arms and donated generously as the then government did not have credibility problem. Plane loads came in waves to bring relief goods, while Pakistanis wholeheartedly supported their brethren in distress.

The earthquake left behind thousands of lamenting tales behind – of children that died when the school roofs fell and of teachers who died saving the little children. Just yesterday, there was news that a boy was reunited with his mother since he got separated from her on that fateful day. But many women still lament the loss of their children; brothers grieve for their siblings, while fathers and husbands cry for their children and wives.

We have hardly overcome the shock, when this year flash floods added to the miseries of many more. I do not know how much time it would take for the rehabilitation of people from Swat to seashore of Arabian Sea and the rebuilding of the many more bridges, schools, buildings and roads. I only pray for no more wraths from the Nature and hope we recover from the aftershocks, and live again.

Related Links:

Earthquake 2005

Lamenting Scars of the Soul

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