Port Blair, Feb 16: On 6 February 2023, a Mw 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria. There was widespread damage and thousands of fatalities. The earthquake was followed by more than 2,100 aftershocks. The seismic sequence was the result of shallow strike-slip faulting. As of now, over 42,000 deaths have been confirmed in Turkey and Syria.
As we, aware that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are prone to Geological disasters and located in one of the most seismically active parts (Zone –V) of the world, several great earthquakes have occurred in the past. The devastating earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2004 caused horizontal and vertical movement of land mass in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Considering the above, Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (Disaster Management), on behalf of A&N Administration urged the General Public of A&N Islands to adhere to Do’s & Don’ts of Earthquake to mitigate the impact of earthquake and save their precious lives.
The General public shall perform Duck, Cover & Hold and move slowly to safer place in case of small shaking of earth, evacuate building, make safe evacuation routes in homes, take, if outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, power lines and drop to the ground, in case of driving – pull over to clear location & be in the vehicle, don’t run – try to drop to the ground and in case of in a coastal area, move to higher ground. Tsunamis are often created by earthquakes and prepare emergency kit for family as well as individual level (copies of documents, torch, radio, medicines, dry foods, water, liquid cash etc.).
