Earthquake in Kyrgyzstan
Today, early in the morning at about 2:00, I was suddenly awakened by the noise of falling CD cases from the shelf. My bed shook, the roof and windows were clattering. It lasted only for couple of seconds. It was over so fast that I couldn’t realize what was happening and went on sleeping. Only in the morning did I found that it was a 4.0 by Richter’s scale earthquake.
As Akipress.kg reports,
The earthquake’s epicenter was in Tersekei - Ala Too mountains close to the border of Yssyk Kul and Naryn oblasts, in 140 km away to the south-west from Bishkek. The force of vibration in the epicenter was 7.0 on Richter’s scales. Bishkek experienced only 4.5.
Fortunately, there was no property damage and loss of life.
It is strange that during the last two month this is the fourth sizable earthquake. Epicenters of all four were in northern Kyrgyzstan. They occurred mainly in Yssyk Kul oblast. It should be noted that in all four cases, Kyrgyzstani seismologists neither forecast them, nor carried out prevention activities, like informing people of the possible places where the earthquake could occur. The only thing they did was to record and state the intensity of the quake on the Richter scale in each case. I consider this a serious problem, as if there another serious earthquake occurs, especially in northern Kyrgyzstan, the loss would be catastrophic for Kyrgyzstan. With a shaky economy like ours, we never will be able to recover by ourselves. It means new credit from foreign donors, new debts, and a greater need for Kyrgyzstan to join the very controversial Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. There is a formula: Earthquake equals Economic Crisis.
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix the problem. The only thing that I can is to put my CD folders in drawers rather than on the shelf, so that next time it will not disturb me as much. Life is full of problems, so no time to worry about earthquakes…
on December 27th, 2006 at 4:21 am
Dear Sir/Madam,
Earthquakes can not be predicted. I say this with emphasis because the best seismological minds in the world have been trying to do this for over a century and they have yet to find a solution to the problem. Do not criticise the seismologists in KG or anywhere else on this matter, it is not a fault of ommission, it simply can not be done. I understand the frustration this causes but it is a very difficult problem to solve. Kyrgyzstan is in a very seismically active area, devasting earthquakes have occurred here in the past and they will happen again in the future. The best thing to do is to make sure you are prepared. There are many sources of information on how to handle such emergencies, study the information, it could save your life.
on December 28th, 2006 at 4:57 am
That’s pretty much exactly what I was going to say. I’ve noticed that there is a widespread belief in Central Asia that earthquakes can be predicted. Rumors of an upcoming one brought Tashkent to a standstill recently.
Bill’s right. Disaster preparedness is far more important.
on December 28th, 2006 at 10:09 am
I totally agree with Bill and Nathan. I just wanted to point out the fact that in Kyrgyzstan there are no any actions to keep people prepared for such disasters. Since our governnment is reluctant on such issues, sesimologists could try inform people, who live in seismic active zones, of possible earthquakes and how to get prepared for them.
on December 31st, 2006 at 7:09 am
Everything is going to be OK. LIfe is going and the problems will be faded tomorrow. The main thing is to keep up a positive attitude and try to make a change.
See ya!!
on January 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
How an earthquake in Southern Kyrgyzstan would be less catastrophic for us? What’s the difference?