Of earthquakes and cyclones (2/2)

China and the Sichuan Earthquake - before, during, after?

12th May 2008, a massive earthquake shook Wenchuan county, Sichuan to the core, causing catastrophe to the entirety of Sichuan and with a death toll of over 60,000 people.

Simple as it sounds, the deaths could very well have been avoidable. Without going into the human tragedy that ensued, the fact that this occurred at such an ungodly timing may be an indicator of more to come.

Rumors abound that Chinese builders, faced with the increasing difficulty of constructing infrastructure to provide for its two billion people, was beginning to build unsafe structures in a bid to hasten the speed of progression, thereby leading to the collapse of an absurd number of buildings in the area surrounding the epicenter of Wenchuan county, Sichuan, and the eventual death of tens of thousands under cold, immobile rubble. While some companies may do so, not all companies would do so, and even more of these companies, in my opinion, cannot be held liable for what happens at the crack of a tectonic plate.

Basically, earthquakes occur not at random, but by geographical components called tectonic plates. When these plates rub into each other, they create friction not unlike hands rubbing against each other, except on a much larger scale and with much more significant impact. In the case of Wenchuan county, it bore the unfortunate brunt of the damage because the plate movements primarily came from that area, thereby causing Wenchuan and surrounding counties the worst damage of the lot.

Still, amidst all the rumors and the blame game, there was lots of humanity to be found in desolation. A far cry from Myanmar, indeed, where help has been prompt and devastating damage minimised to a semi-manageable state. Miracle stories abound of people who have been trapped for beyond seven days and survived (although reality sets in when such people inadvertently exhaust all their life energy in an attempt to prove that they have the will to live.)

Because of all that is miraculous, there is little for me to complain, whine, or actually discuss much about. Instead, this post is dedicated to all those who have managed to survive the rubble, their families and their loved ones.

"For the winds to blow once again
To replace the green pastures lost to fate;
For life to bloom once again
where tragedy attempted to undermine the human spirit."

PS: China needs a lot of tents. If you have one, give it to the next person who can make sure it ends up in China. Spread the word.