18th Sept 2011 Earthquake that hit Bhutan and the himalyas

The Epicentre of the Quake in 75 KM north of Sikkim's Capital Gangtok, measuring 6.8 in Richter Scale was also felt in other states in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. More than 45 people in India , 5 people in Nepal have lost their lives leaving thousans homeless in the region. In Bhutan, the number of casualties is 1 and 12 injured. More than 3000 houses has been damaged and many important culture sites including lhakhangs, chortens and muesum damaged.

It is (I think) the first major quake after the 21st Sept 2009 Mongar quake. What did we learn and what did we still not have learnt?

What did I learn?

1. Death can come any time. There is very less time to react and what should we do in the event of another quake. I am preety much confident that I will not be horrified next time. Disaster Management has educated most of the people.

2. I also learned that the communication network will fail (any telecom company will fail) during such disaster, different mode of communication should always be there available like Tcell, fax, fixed phone, internet and more importantly Television. Television is one of the best to inform the public to be calm and necessary informations but BBSC need to learn a lot.

3. No one can predict earthquake

4. Earthquakes will come in the future also, himalaya is young mountains....

5. There is no quake measuring tool in Bhutan (still). which there is a doubt that quake in Bhutan on 18th Sept may be more severe than the 6.8 measured in Sikkim.

6. Most important one: there will be no body to help you if you are injured or in trouble... Dont expect help espicially in rural Bhutan.

7. It is useless to find out how much damage the quake has done in comparing to how much death it could have avoided.

8. There is more rumours than fact. So believe in the trusted source only.

What did we still not have learnt?

1. Bhutan doesnot have a quick response team.

2. We do not supply the immediate emergency kit despite the fact that Dept of disaster management claims it has. (the kits usually reaches after the need is not there)

3. Bhutan , the appropiate authority need to inform the people through media and other communications mode updating about the disaster.

4. BBSC could only find out the disaster called Earthquake after 1 hour and 20 minutes... a quicker response is expected.

5. All our disaster management happens during day time, this is one of the reason why there is casualties when the disaster occurs during the night. (see the bumthang fire incidences for example).

6. Life is precious, still people care for valuable things than their life...

# This note is not meant to hurt any agency or individual... it is a note to remember. (please dont care of the languages)

Kinzang Norbu