How to keep safe should an earthquake strike

SEP 22 -
The earthquake on Sunday evening, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, was the strongest to hit Nepal in nearly eight decades. This has indeed helped raise public awareness on earthquakes but not altogether. Because Kathmandu was significantly far from the epicentre and the earthquake was a moderate one, a catastrophe was averted.
Nepal is part of the South Asian sub-continent land mass which not in the distant past on the geological clock collided with the Eurasian land mass (Asian-European mainland). This collision caused the formation of the Himalayas, youngest of Mountain ranges, some 60 million years ago. The sub-continental Indian plate is moving northward at a rate faster than the Eurasian plate is moving in same direction. This has caused the Himalayas to gather height in recent history and also increased pressure between the two giant plates.
Because a great deal of energy is building up with the plate movement, it may release massive amount of energy anytime causing a massive earthquake. However, I don’t totally agree with the theory that a major earthquake of 8 or greater magnitude hits Nepal every eight decades or so. If we are talking of one similar to that of 1934, they occur about once in three centuries.
Earthquakes indeed have cycles and it is sure that Nepal is highly prone to earthquakes and a large-scale, devastating one is likely in future. There is need for a change in the paradigm in building construction if we are to stay safe.
Everyone must try to reduce vulnerability to the disaster and prepare for survival. Even in vulnerable buildings, you must find safe spots. If you are on an upper floor, do not run to the stairs. They are usually not tied to the building’s foundation and are the first to go. This is usually where most bodies are found.
Unless you are located near the exit on the ground floor and have a yard outside, do not try to leave the building. As everything happens in a few seconds, one has no time to escape. You have to train yourself on how to reach the safest place you can in just a few seconds. When the temblor stops, make sure the staircase is okay, then you can go out. Then switch off the electricity line. That’s how you can save yourself.

(As told by the divisional chief of the National Seismological Centre )