What you can do to stay safe during an earthquake

14 PEOPLE have died in the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted West Nusa Tenggara and the tourist island of Lombok in Indonesia over the weekend.

The victim had been participating in a climbing mission with 17 other Malaysians, six of which have been injured while the others are safe.

Lombok may be less famous than its neighbor 40 kilometers away, but that just means the island is relatively untouched.

Located east of Bali and west of Sumbawa, Lombok is part of the Lesser Sunda Island chain, known for its pristine beaches, hiking trails, and surfing spots.

Travelers particularly love its nearby motor-vehicle-free Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno) which offer clear warm waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling.

Source: Shutterstock.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 50km northeast of Mataram in northern Lombok.

It was followed by more than 60 smaller earthquakes, with the largest recorded at a magnitude of 5.7. The tremors were felt as far as the Gili islands as well as Bali.

BBC Marathi journalist Vinayak Gaikwad, who was on Gili Trawangan island at the time of the earthquake, said, “The tremors were strong – I noticed waves in the hotel pool. A group of us ran out of the hotel.”

An Indonesian village security officer examines the remains of houses, after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck, in Lombok on July 29, 2018. Source: AFP PHOTO / Aulia AHMAD.

While you can’t stop earthquakes from happening and you can’t exactly avoid getting caught in one, you can reduce the risk of getting hurt.

For example, identify beforehand if the destination you’re going to sits anywhere near the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Countries in Asia-Pacific that happen to be associated with it include Indonesia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Japan, and Taiwan.

The volcanoes in Indonesia are among the most active of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Source: Wikimedia Commons.

If you’re indoors during an earthquake, stay indoors but take cover under furniture or against a wall. Trying to leave a building can result in more injuries because objects can fall on you.

If you’re outdoors, quickly move into the open, away from street lights, trees, utility wires, buildings, or anything that can potentially hurt you. Stay out of damaged buildings until the authorities say it’s safe.

If you’re in a moving vehicle, stay in it until the shaking has stopped.

The aftershocks can occur hours, days, weeks, or months after a quake so be prepared for them. Keep yourself tuned in to the local radio station or stay connected for updates on the emergency situation.

Lastly, don’t forget to report your status to your country’s embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting.

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Source: travelwireasia.com