SANE Newsletter

September 2002

 

September 14, 2002 Earthquake Rocks North Andaman

On the 14th day of September 2002, a major earthquake rocked the North Andaman and nearby Islands at 03.58 AM. The magnitude of the earthquake, according to IMD, was 6.0 with its epicenter at 13.3oN: 93.3oE. The US Geological Survey and Harward University computed the magnitude at 6.5 while Caltech had put it at 6.4. The epicenter was 24 kilometers South-South-East of Diglipur or 162 Kms. North-North-East of Port Blair. The duration of the earthquake was two minutes.

Reports from Diglipur, the Headquarters of North Andaman Island, state that many Govt. buildings including a port godown, port staff quarters, schools, teachers' quarters and a bank building have suffered moderate to severe damages. The load bearing piles and beams of the Aeriel Bay Jetty have developed cracks, some of which are about 20 mtrs long. Some Occupants of Govt. quarters had to be relocated. A number of shops suffered moderate losses due to broken glass, TVs and other equipments which fell down from the shelves during the earthquake. Some of the pucca (concrete) buildings have developed cracks. There are reports of collapsed walls, and toppled overhead tanks, ruptured water pipes and snapped electric lines.

 

The Runway at Kalipur has developed a minor crack, a culvert on the Diglipur-Kalipur Road collapsed and the shoulder of a two km stretch subsided in places. In some places seawater and sand gushed out from the cracks on the road, reported the lone Member of Parliament from the Islands Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray. The MP together with the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent Engineer of Andaman Public Works Department flew down to Diglipur at 10 AM on the 14th September.

On his second visit to the quake affected area the Member of Parliament along with the media team had reported about pathetic situation of the residents, taking refuge in small tents made of tarpaulin. After talking to the people out there, it was gathered that continuous after shocks are being felt, one or more than one, almost daily. This has resulted in panic all over the place. And people find it more secure in tents than in their own houses. Even though the damage was not much in the traditional structures made of timber and bamboo yet who would like to take a risk with small children and sick parents explained few of them.

Further it was reported that the "Bus Stops" were severely damaged and the electric poles were bent. Most of the electric poles were very old and could not escape the tremor. The newly built Guest House by the Tourism Department "Turtle Resort", had cracks in almost all the guest rooms and corridor. It was also learnt by the Manager of the Resort that two foreign tourists who were in the resort couple of days ago had immediately left the place after they experienced a tremor. The staff in the resort themselves had prepared a tent to take shelter while they are on duty.

The schools in Diglipur area had stopped functioning since the very day of the quake on Sep. 14. On Sep. 21, 2002 when the media team was around, few students had come to the Secondary School at Shibpur village. But soon after a tremor at about 10.20 am, the students without waiting for any instructions had run away, added the media report.

The Lighthouse at East Island was rocked leading to a spill of mercury which is stated to have been contained. A major spill would have led to a serious marine pollution problem as apprehended by Mr. Dilip Biswas, the Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board. Mr. Biswas had contacted the A & N Pollution Control Committee early on the 14th and remained in touch till the possibility of massive pollution was ruled out. (See below What is a Light House?).

The earthquake had also rocked Mayabunder, Rangat, Baratang, South Andaman (Port Blair), Havelock and Neil Island but no damage has been reported from any place south of Rangat.

This earthquake and indeed, most of the earthquakes in this region, should actually be termed as seaquakes as the epicenters are in the sea. In this instance also (see map), Smith Island and Ross Island stood between the epicentre and Diglipur and had absorbed much of the fury, particularly the tsunami (tidal wave) that was triggered. Although the IMD did not report it, tsunami was reported by other sources.

The Flood situation Report of GOI mentions a total of 30 aftershocks with intensity between 3 to 5.3 in Richer Scale till the morning of 16th September 2002. The Amature Seismic Centre reported the following quakes:

 

Date

Local Time

Magnitude
(Richter Scale)

Latitude

Longitude

14 Sep 2002

04:44

5.0

13o 20' N

92o 50' E

15 Sept 2002

00:28

5.8

13o 16' N

93o 15' E

15 Sep 2002

03:42

5.0

13o 19' N

93o 10' E

18 Sep 2002

05:31

5.5

13o 23' N

93o 16' E

19 Sep 2002

17:32

4.8

13o 00' N

92o 07' E

 

Flash Back: History of Earthquakes in Andamans

26th June, 1941
The strongest recorded earthquake that shook the Islands occurred on 26th June, 1941, measuring 8.1 in the Richter Scale. Its epicentre was at 12o 0' N, 92o 50' E. It had destroyed many buildings, brought down the Central Tower of the then infamous Cellular Jail which suffered many cracks, killing a Warder and caused a respectable tsunami that must have inundated much of the west coast of Andamans (though not recorded), the west coast being inhabited solely by the then hostile Jarawa tribe. But the tsunami was recorded in the Coromandel Coast of mainland India.

1881
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake had occurred in 1881 which had damaged masonry buildings at Port Blair and triggered a tsunami that caused a 1.2 meter run-up on the Coromandel Coast.

1914, 1929, 1941, 1949 and 1955
Five other earthquakes of magnitude 7 and above are known to have occurred here in 1914, 1929, 1941, 1949 and 1955. Eleven more earthquakes of magnitude 6 to 7 occurred in this region between 1914 and 1980.

Earthquakes are quite common in the. There were a total of 466 earthquakes between 1980 and 1988, or an average of 52 earthquakes per year, or one earthquake every week. During 1989 to 1998, the total number of earthquakes recorded was 614 or an average of 61.4 earthquakes per year, or an earthquake every six days. In 1984, we had 140 earthquakes, the largest number in a year but only 11 in 1995, the lowest number.

The magnitude of the infamous earthquake that shook Bhuj, at Kutch in Gujrat on 26th January, 2001, extracting a very heavy toll of life and property was measured by IMD to be only 6.9. The GSI calculated the intensity at 7.6 and USGS at 7.7. This earthquake had resulted in loss of 20,086 lives, injured 166,000 people and destroyed 300,000 houses. The total economic loss was stated to be 4.5 billion US dollars or 22,500 Crores (INR).

Although the 1941 Andaman earthquake was several times more powerful than the Gujarat one, the losses sustained were negligible compared to this. The Islanders were lucky on account of being widely dispersed and the islands being sparsely populated. Most earthquakes here so far have spent their fury on uninhabited spaces.

While Kutch in Gujarat records only about one earthquake of magnitude 7 or more every 50 years, our islands suffered one almost every 20 years. While most of Gujarat is in Zone III and IV, the whole A & N Islands falls in Zone V, where seismic hazard is the highest.

 

What happened in 1941? Witnesses recollect

Mr. Paras Ram Editor and Publisher of the Light of Andamans was a student of Class X. He describes the 1941 earthquake as devastating and a new experience for a youngster at the time. Mr. Paras Ram, now 75 year old said:

Yes, I remember the earthquake of 1941. I was a school student when the devastating quake had hit. It shook most parts of the Andamans. The tower of the Cellular Jail broke down killing the Chief Head Warder. There were wide cracks seen in most of the places. But surprisingly the overall damage was not much since most of the buildings at the time were wooden buildings.

Ross Island had suffered heavy damages. There was damage to the Church building in Ross and also other major office buildings. After this devastating quake Ross Island was declared unsafe for human population. The Geologists found that the island had started sinking. And later Port Blair became the Headquarter.

The British govt. at that time had ordered the general public to plant bamboo all over. Bamboo roots have a net like structure, explained Mr. Paras Ram, and said that taking shelter under it reduces the chance of falling in the wide cracks.

There was panic among the people as continuous tremor was being felt. We were told to go to the Gymkhana Ground to keep away from falling buildings and towers.

I was at Aberdeen Bazar just near the clock tower. I heard strange sounds coming from different directions that made me to wonder what had happened. People were rushing out of their houses and telling, "it is an earthquake, take shelter in some open space." At that time the population was only about 29,000. There were hardly any pucca buildings except the Cellular Jail and so damages were not much, as it would have been today in Port Blair.

 

Mrs. Paras Ram also was a school student during 1941 and had just followed the instruction of her father. She never knew what exactly was happening but had witnessed the devastating quake. She explains the quake as:

I do remember about the incident. I was about 10 years old and stayed with my parents near Dr. Diwan Singh Gurudwara, Aberdeen Bazar. It was evening time and I never did understand what was going on. But yes, I heard my father instructing all of us to come out of the house. Strange noise as if of bombing could be heard. The house was seen shaking. And this continued for quite some time.

My brother at the time was at Dundas Point. There was a hospital there for the prisoners. The Doctor in the Hospital was Dr. Surendranath. The entire hospital had come down though no one was injured. There was a Police Station a few yards from the Hospital. The Station had also been damaged badly. And yes of course, the jetty at Dundas Point had suffered heavy damages. Boat services were stopped. The tremor of the quake was felt for days together. 

Mr. John D'Souza used to be a "Work Mistry" during the 41 quake, In the British era. He said:

I was only 22 at that time and was near the present Light House Cinema Theatre opposite to the Pongy Kyong at about 5 pm. All of a sudden there was a foul smell. Since it was war time, I thought that the Germans had attacked. And the smell was due to the bombing.

But later I came to know that it was an earthquake. The passage inside the Cellular Jail had cracked. In the centre of the jail there was this tower where the Jail Warder used to sit and keep an eye on the prisoners. This tower fell down killing the Warder.

At Marine workshop, the walls had cracked. At Ross Island the Church Tower had fallen. Due to this one of the Memsahibs (a British lady) broke her leg. The hospital in Ross headed by an SMO was shifted to Port Blair. Major Bird, who was killed during the Japanese occupation, was then the Chief Secretary and also the Supply Officer. The supply godown was also shifted to Port Blair alongwith the Chief Commissioner's office.

 

Earthquake Terminology

Earthquake:
Shaking or trembling of the earth's crust originating naturally below the surface. Consists of series of shock waves that may cause changes in level, cracking or distortion of surface.

Earthquakes are classified as:
Slight or mild: Up to Magnitude 4.9 on the Richter Scale
Moderate: 5 to 6.9 on the Richter Scale
Great: 7 to 7.9 on the Richter Scale
Very great: 8 and above

Seismic Zones:
The country is divided into five Seismic Zones based on earthquake risks.
Zones I and II: Low risk quakes of upto magnitude 4.9
Zone III: Moderate risk quakes of upto 6.9
Zone IV: High risk quakes of upto 7.9 magnitude.
Zone V: Very high risk quakes of Magnitude 8 and above. The A&N Islands fall into this zone.

Shockwaves:
The shock-waves generated by an earthquake are of three types, two of which (the "P" waves and "S" waves) move through the crust (body of earth). The third kind moves on the surface.
P-waves (primary waves) are compressional waves that cause displacements within the crust parallel to the direction in which the wave travels. These waves travel fastest but damage the least and as such are detected first in the affected area.
S -waves (secondary waves) displace material at right angles to their path and are called shear waves. They travel at a relatively lesser speed and arrive after the P-waves but cause more damage.
The surface wave is the third kind of wave that travels on the surface like a ripple in a pond. They are the last to arrive but cause the strongest vibrations and the worst damages in an earthquake.

Epicentre is the point on the surface of earth vertically above the underground spot where the earthquake originates.

Focus or Hypocentre is the point underground within the earth's crust where an earthquake originates.

Magnitude is the measure of the energy released by an earthquake and is usually measured on the Richter Scale.

Richter Scale is a scale for computing the energy of an earthquake by measuring ground motion with an instrument called Seismograph. The scale is open-ended, that is there is no theoretical limit to the upper or the lower ends of the scale. But no earthquake ever recorded has to date exceeded magnitude 9. In the Richter Scale magnitude 9 is ten times as powerful as 8. 8 is ten times as powerful as 7 and so on. In simple arithmetical terms, if the power of a magnitude 5 earthquake is 'x', then the power of magnitude 6 is 10x, 7 is 100x and 8 is 1000x and 9 is 10,000x. Similarly magnitude 4 is 1/10x, 3 is 1/100x, and 2 is 1/1000 and 1 is 1/10000x.

Tsunami means a great wave and is also described as a tidal wave. Almost always a tsunami is caused by a seaquake, that is, an earthquake with an epicentre on the seabed. While tsunamis are more common on the Chinese, Japanese and Alaskan coasts, they are not unknown is India or even in the Andamans.

 

Disaster Management Plan (DMP)

In 1991, When the Barren island volcano erupted, SANE was the first to take an initiative and to organise two expeditions jointly with the Geological Suevey of India (Andaman Division). The expeditions were made possible with the support of Prof. Shekhar Singh, then Advisor (E &F), Planning Commission and Vice Admiral S.W. Lakhkar, Director General of the Coast Guard.

SANE had collected earthquake data of about ten years for the A & N region from IMD and had plotted the epicenters on a map. It was found that about half the earthquake epicenters were concentrated in the Invisible Bank (South of Barren Island) and a spot North-North East of Great Nicobar Islands.

Volcanic eruptions are often preceeded by a series of earthquakes and harmonic tremors are often used by seismologists to predict an eruption, although, there is no accepted and full-proof method of predicting either an earthquake or a volcanic eruption yet.

SANE had shared such concerns with the then Lt. Governor and had suggested preperation of a Disaster Management Plan. SANE had also suggested an awaremess compaign among Islanders so that people know what should be done individually in case of an eruption or an earthquake and also to encourae self help in the affected area (see your personal dmp). SANE's apprehensions are based on the fact, the world's largest recorded eruption is that of KRAKATAU in Indonesia in 1883 and Karakatau is but a first cousin of Barren .

In December, 1995, the Administration, by a notification had transferred several subjects to the Zilla Parishad and PRIs, Disaster Management being one of them. But due to some obscure reason, the ZP and the PRIs were not advised of such transfer and consequently, nothing was done.

 

On 1st February 2001, SANE wrote to Mr. Anil Baijal, the then Chief Secretary, stressing the need for formulation of a DMP in view of the Gujrat experience. The Govt. of India was then organising a seminar of State representatives for formulation of a DMP everywhere. The Administration had nominated the Deputy Commisioner, Andaman District for participation in this seminar. The Zilla Parishad had requested the Administration to nominate its CEO for this seminar as the matter of disaster management stood transferred to ZP in terms of the 1995 notification. On 21st February 2001, the local MP also wrote to the Lt. Governor supporting the ZP 's stand and requesting deputation of Mr. J. Sarangi, then CEO, ZP to this seminar. But the Administration decided to send the DC instead.

On 20th March 2001, SANE wrote to the Hon'ble Lt. Governor stressing the need for formulation of a DMP in a participatory manner taking the peoples' representatives and NGOs in confidence, in view of the possibilities of a major earthquake in the Islands before 2010 AD. The LG is known to have instructed the DC accordingly. But if a Disaster Management Plan was formulated, it was obviously not implemented after the Diglipur earthquake. It also did not appear to be available with the local authorities. (see box media comments)

The 93rd and 94th amendements to our Constitution had entrusted the task of formulating Development Plans to the PRIs, through the DPC. Several SANE members were involved in the process.

The Administration had proposed a disaster Management Scheme in the 10th Plan. The scheme proposed a central control under the Deputy Commissioner. (Scheme No. 3: Enhancing preparedness in Disaster Management). The DPC's comments on the scheme are given below.

"The major component involved in Disaster Management is creation of infrastructure and imparting training. Any available vehicle can be requisitioned and pressed into service when a disaster strikes. Initially the department may purchase only 2 Nos. of Excavators apart from procurement of communication system except for WAN/ISDN equipments. Instead of 3 nos. of satcoms, a number of transceivers (Jeep Mountable) would be more cost effective and will be able to cover many stations. The Administration should take up the matter of establishing a Ham-Radio network in the islands with the GOI. Throughout the world, the Ham-Radio operators have rendered most valuable service during emergencies at zero cost to the public exchequers.

 

"The backbone of any Disaster Management System would be a core of volunteers who would get mobilized in the event of a disaster. These volunteers would need to be trained. A doomsday plan should lay down the actions that would have to be initiated if a disaster strikes. There should be disaster specific standard operating procedures laid down. The trick is to utilize the local talent, local manpower and locally available equipments.

"During the 2002-2003, First Aid and Fire Fighting Training should be organized in every Tehsil where atleast 5 volunteers from each village must be trained. We should encourage establishment of units of St. John's Ambulance Brigade to keep the trained persons in practice.

"The Gram Panchayat should form the smallest unit of Disaster Management Corps. The local JEs of APWD and Electricity Department, the local PHC/ Sub Center Medical and Pre-Medical Staffs etc. would have to be involved. In case of a disaster the first losses are those of water, power and telephone lines. We must have alternatives that we can fall back on in every town, village and community.

"The proposal of procuring tents and tarpaulins is a good idea. We should also have picks, shovels, fire-axes small pneumatic jacks etc. These should be stored in every Panchayat to avoid the need of transporting these in an emergency. There should be arrangements for emergency purification of water. In case ponds/ nallahs bearing freshwater are available, these would be used. If there are none, a pond or a large pool should be constructed and kept in use."

 

Much has been said about the possible existence or otherwise of a disaster management plan with the Administration that might or might not be activated if and when a disaster strikes. Earthquake preparedness should, naturally, be a major component of such a plan. We at SANE believe that what toucheth all should decided by all. Even below are skeletons of a People's Disaster Management Plan. We invite our readers to suggest improvement. Comments may be mailed to sanenews@andamanisles.com or a hard copy posted to the Editor .

 

Your Personal Disaster Management Plan (dmp)

An earthquake cannot reliably predicted, so you may not have an advance warning, although small tremors in an area prone to earthquakes may be a sign that a larger shock is coming. The immediate risk during a quake is from falling debris.

Your Family Disaster management Plan (dmp)

 

Your Community Disaster Management Plan (dmp)

Every community should practise self-help, particularly in emergencies.

The following steps are easy to take but effective.

 

Media Comments

Sep. 14, 2002 (The Hindu)
Quake Hits Andamans: A powerful earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter Scale rocked the Andaman Islands in the wee hours claiming two lives and damaging some houses, according to initial reports...

Sep. 15, 2002 (Andaman Herald)
Seaquake Rocks Andamans: M P, Commissioner (Revenue), DC( Andamans), S E, APWD and Assistant Commissioner Mayabunder had left for spot assessment...

Sep. 15, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
Earthquake Rocks Andamans, LG calls upon the people to remain calm. As per the instruction of the Lt. Governor a Dornier aircraft of the Navy took off for Diglipur this morning...

Sep. 17, 2002 (Andaman Herald)
Damage to East Island Light House minor, No threat of pollution: Raj Niwas. The watch keeping staff of the Light House immediately collected the mercury and put it back into the mercury trap of the beacon...

Sep. 17, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
Tremor causes minor damages to East Island Light House. The earthquake which shook many places in these islands on Sep. 14th had caused some minor damage to the Light House of East Island...

Sep. 19, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
Tremor Hits North Andaman Again. The earthquake which was experienced today was of moderate intensity measuring 4.8 on the Richter Scale... There was however no report of any loss to life and property....

Sep. 19, 2002 (Andaman Express)
NYK Lends a Helping Hand. An 11 member team of youngsters constituted by Nehru Yuva Kendra at Kalipur has lent a helping hand in providing relief to the victims of last Saturday's earthquake...

Sep. 20, 2002 (Andaman Herald)

Bhakta takes stock of the situation at Diglipur

On his return from mainland Shri M.R. Bhakta Ex. MP and President ANTCC had left on the same day i.e. 17.09.02 for Diglipur... The people drew his attention to the fact of not getting any help from the Administration...

Sep. 20, 2002 (Andaman Herald)
B.P. Ray along with media team leave for Diglipur. He has taken 400 Tarpaulin (200 big and 200 small) donated by the Zilla Parishad, Amul Spray, Cerelac, Buiscuits for 200 families donated by various donors, ordinary clothes, tents, clothes for children donated by the Red Cross Society, solar lanterns supplied by Electricity Department...

Sep. 20, 2002 (Andaman Express)
Letter to the Editor: The people are not staying in the night at their home due to fear of earthquake and they are spending the nights at the open spaces...…… request your honour (Lt. Governor) to activise the Disaster Management group with Contingency Plan so that the team could put into operation as and when such occasions arises.

Sep. 22, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
MP distributes relief materials to quake affected people. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray today distributed relief materials worth Rs. 6 lakh...

Sep. 23, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
LG Visits Quake-Hit Areas in Diglipur, Distributes Relief Material and Aid To Affected People. The Lt. Governor Shri NN Jha has assured the quake affected people of Diglipur area of North Andaman of all possible help from the Administration.... told them not to panic....

Sep. 23, 2002 (Andaman Express)
IRCS distributes relief Materials. The Andaman branch of Indian Red Cross Society distributed relief materials to the earthquake victims...

Sep. 23, 2002 (Andaman Express)
MP Reported to favour quake victims loyal to his Party. The villagers of Kalipur as well as other villages has blamed that assistance of relief materials were extended to those who were loyal to BJP...

Sep. 23, 2002 (Andaman Express)
Letters to the Editor: Although a week has already passed uptill now no relief has been given by the A&N Administration to the affected people...

Sep. 24, 2002 (Andaman Herald)
Panic stricken residents of quake affected areas cry for assistance. Today after a week since the incident had occurred, the affected people of North Andaman wait for support and relief by the Administration...

Sep. 24, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
LG Assures All Help to Cater to Quake Affected People. Two vessels M.V. Shompen and M.V. Ramakrishna will be anchored off Ariel Bay Jetty and Sagar Dweep Island to come to the aid of the people ... assured the Lt. Governor...

Sep. 26, 2002 (The Daily Telegrams)
Essential Commodities For Quake Hit People. A team of CCS officials led by its Managing Director Shri Rizwan Ali, left for Diglipur yesterday to ascertain proper distribution of essential commodities...

 

A unique phenomenon at Campbell Bay in 1987

The Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works was set up in the year 1965 for planning and providing harbour facilities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. On 10th April, 1987 something unusual occurred in Campbell Bay where the ALHW was constructing a breakwater.

Huge waves were overtopping the partly constructed breakwater. A team of officers went to the site for inspection. One such wave pushed four of the engineers into the sea. It also carried away a "crane" from the site of construction. Three engineers namely Mr. B.V. Balasubramaniam, P E (Marine), Campbell Bay, Mr. P. Radhakrishnan E E (Civil) and Mr. Sharma E E (Mech.) could be saved by the staff and people present at the site. Unfortunately Mr. S. Krishnamachari A E (Civil) could not be rescued and even his body could not be traced.

This unusual phenomenon was examined later and was found to be the effect of some underwater seismic activities. Surprisingly there was no effect of this seismic force on the land. Further works on the breakwater continued later by adding additional stone boulders and tetra pods as some of these were carried away by the waves.

The area had experienced continuous tremors for more than one month during the year 1982 causing damages to the foreshore buildings, roads and jetty etc.

 

What is a Light House?

Lighthouses have always been an appeal to our visual sense, as much as the sea itself, apart from serving a more prosaic function of safety.

Lighthouses were developed to protect the ships traveling on perilous waters, from hitting rocks or unseen shoals. Designed to provide ships with a reference point and to warn of the above dangers, in the ancient times, light houses were simply beacons lit on a tower on high grounds. But by the time of the great Greek and Roman civilizations, lighthouses were towering landmarks often associated with great cities or empires.

A 37 mt high Colossus built in 290 B.C by Chares of Lindos, erected at the entrance of Rhodes, was a bronze statue of the Greek sun god 'Helios'. The statue held a lit torch to guide incoming ships at the mouth of the harbour.This, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, was destroyed by an earthquake 80 years later.

The Pharos of Alexandria, another of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world was built during the third century by the Egyptians. The 130 m high structure built by Sostratos of Knidos marked the entrance of Alexandria. The fire beaming on the white marble structure was said to be visible from 55km away. Light for the Pharos came from a fire in a metal basket, fuelled by wood carried up spiral ramps in horse drawn carts and then hoisted to the very top with pulleys. In 796 an earthquake destroyed the giant lighthouse.

Types of light
Approaching Lights or Coastal Lights: placed very high up with very strong illumination.

Leading Lights: lead vessels properly in a fairway entrances to harbours and are weaker than approach lights and have a shorter range.

Vessels must be able to identify lights from each other to determine ships position in order to navigate properly. These factors determine the exact lighthouse a sailor is looking at:

Characters: change or measurement between light and dark. Always measured in seconds.

Colors; red, white or green

Different configurations of flashing light and color define light characteristics. Eg. One light may use a flash of white light every 5 seconds where as another light may use a flash of white light every 20 seconds. Variations in the amount of time a light flashes and the color of light used define a light characteristics.

To keep the light steady at any cost, the light is kept floating in a trough of mercury. In East Island Lighthouse, some of the mercury spilled during the earthquake. But the light, mercury trough and the mercury all are housed in a room called the Lantern room. The mercury fell on the floor of this room and was later collected back. The spill would have been dangerous if the walls had been breached leading to the release of mercury on the shore.

In 1991 eruption of the Barren volcano, the entire lighthouse on that Island had disappeared, destroyed by the flow of live lava and pushed into the sea. No one apparently remembered about the mercury in that lighthouse, including SANE members.

Appropriate Building technology

One lesson that we need to learn from this earthquake is to adopt an appropriate building technology all over the islands. All the reports state that the traditional buildings were least affected while concrete ones suffered most.

SANE had been advocating avoidance of concrete and adoption of treated timber/bamboo as the main construction medium since 1996. (See SANE NEWS Feb. 1997)

In a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) moved by SANE, Kalpavriksh and BNHS, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had accepted the recommendations of Shekhar Singh Commission which include the following:

a) Avoiding cement concrete as a medium of construction.

b) Actively encouraging the use of traditional locally available raw-material like wood, bamboo etc.

c) Setting up of treatment plants at key points to enhance the life of timber, bamboo etc.

d) Depending on water transport, rather than the roads for inter-island communications.

Besides the above, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had specifically ordered that "The extraction of the sand be phased out @minimum 20% per year on reducing balance basis to bring the sand-mining to the level of 33% of the present level of mining within a maximum period of 5 years."

The Distict Planning Committee of A&N Islands had also made similar recommendations, which include:

1) Avoiding construction of retaining walls, using gentle slopes instead.

2) Substitution of compound walls with live green fencing etc.

The people can bring about this change, even if the Administration remains passive. The powers to approve building plans rest in the local self-government bodies like Panchayats and municipalities. The fate of Du Pont in Goa demonstrates people's power.

Even the Administration, while doing its best to fight the SC order of closure of the Andaman Trunk Road, could not be confident of the road's serviceability. It is demonstrated by the LG's order stationing two ships at Diglipur, instead of sending a convoy of trucks and buses (see media comments).

Sources:IMD: Indian Meteorological Deptt.
NGRI: National Geographical Research Institute
GSI: Geological Survey of India
USGS: United States Geological Survey

  

  

 

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