The Earth Moved: A Moment to Remember Preparedness
The recent news of a Magnitude 5.2 earthquake in our region—a moderate event that, thankfully, appears to have passed without widespread, major damage—is a crucial reminder of our planet’s dynamic nature. While tremors can be unsettling, they should serve as a powerful call to action for every one of us to review and strengthen our earthquake preparedness.
11/21/20252 min read
The Good News: Deep Tremors, Less Surface Impact
One piece of good news often associated with these types of tremors is the depth of the quake. Deeper earthquakes, like the one indicated, generally cause less intense shaking at the surface compared to shallow ones of the same magnitude. This is one of the key factors that often limits damage and casualties.
Nevertheless, we must not become complacent. Every quake, regardless of its size, is a practice run for safety.
Your Three-Step Earthquake Safety Checklist
Now is the perfect time to ensure you and your loved ones are ready for any future seismic activity. Being prepared is the most constructive way to respond to these natural events.
1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
This is the single most important action to take the moment shaking begins.
DROP immediately onto your hands and knees.
COVER your head and neck with your arms. If possible, crawl under a sturdy desk or table.
HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops. Do not run outside during the shaking—falling debris is the main cause of injury.
2. Create Your Emergency Kit
Do you have a readily accessible kit with essentials? Check yours today and ensure it's up to date. It should include:
Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)
Non-perishable food
A flashlight and extra batteries
A first-aid kit
Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance)
3. Know Your Home’s Strong Points
Walk through your home or office and identify the safest spots: under sturdy furniture, or along an interior wall away from windows and heavy furniture that could fall. Also, secure heavy items like bookshelves, water heaters, and wall hangings to prevent them from toppling over.
Community Resilience: The Role of Building Codes
Ultimately, the best defense against earthquakes lies in seismic-resistant construction. The presence of the Building Code of Pakistan (BCP), particularly the seismic provisions, is vital for ensuring that new buildings are designed to withstand significant shaking.
We must support and advocate for the strict implementation and enforcement of these codes across all jurisdictions. A resilient community is one where safety is engineered into the very foundation of its structures.
The recent tremor is a gentle nudge from nature. Let’s use it as motivation to build a safer, more prepared future together.