News Nation Logo

6.6 Earthquake in Pakistan: Here are some tips to remain safe

A 6.6 Earthquake Today Hit Hindukush And Some Parts Of Pakistan. In India, Mild Tremors Were Felt In Delhi NCR And In Certain Parts Of North India. The Frequency Recorded In Surat Showed A Richter Scale Measure Of 3.2.

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Aman Dwivedi | Updated on: 10 Apr 2016, 05:25:54 PM
Representational Image

New Delhi:

A 6.6 earthquake today hit Hindukush and some parts of Pakistan. In India, Mild tremors were felt in Delhi NCR and in certain parts of North India. The frequency recorded in Surat showed a Richter scale measure of 3.2.

However, Earthquake is something which is in no one’s control but what can be done is to take some precautionary measures. Following are some tips to stay in safety.

If you are indoors:

•    DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

•    Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

•    Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture, window or anything else that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place (i.e. under a desk or in an inside corner). (Also read. Earthquake in Delhi NCR: Tremors felt; Hindukush and parts of Pakistan affected)

•    Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway. Brace yourself on the side with the hinges to avoid the door swinging at you.

•    Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

•    Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

•    DO NOT use the elevators, even if they are working. There may be aftershocks.

•    If you're in your hotel room, stay there. There are usually aftershocks, and sometimes they may be worse than the original earthquake. Under a sturdy desk or in an inside corner of your room is the safest place to be, even if you're on the 40th floor. If there's a heavy bookcase next to a match-stick desk, don't get under the desk.

If you are outdoors

•    Stay there.

•    Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

•    Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

•    Pull over to the side of the road and stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. (Guide Note: an earthquake while you're driving feels like there's something wrong with your car. Don't stop in the middle of the freeway if traffic is still moving around you. Slow down and put on your turn signal to get to the side of the road. If everyone else is doing the same thing, it was most likely an earthquake.)

•    Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

•    Do not light a match.

•    Do not move about or kick up dust.

•    Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

•    Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Do not panic! Stay calm and look for the best option to survive the quake.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

First Published : 10 Apr 2016, 04:45:00 PM

Related Tags:

Earthquake

Videos