Desolation caused by this deadly natural calamity called `Earthquake`

Zee Media Bureau/Sumit Channa

New Delhi: The plight of a region and the people living there is unimaginable after an earthquake hits a particular place. These unusual quakes, as called by scientists, do not only cause wall cracks and ruptures but are also capable of displacing an entire region, with which human beings and animals are mainly affected.

Looks like these tremors, which toss people around, are not going to take a break with the latest one jolting the earth's surface today.

With the epicentre around the Indo-Myanmar border, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, shook people even in Northeast, West Bengal, Kolkata, Bihar, Delhi and also caught hold of some neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Kolkata felt strong tremors with the people rushing out of houses and office buildings. Even the famous Eden Gardens stadium left the people panicked.

Just few days back, a strong earthquake measuring almost the same as today's on the Richter scale epicentred in Hindkush mountains, shook various regions of North India including the capital city. Fortunately, there were no reports of any loss of lives or property in the April 10th tremblor.

Earlier this year in January, when people had just welcomed the new year, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake jolted the west of Imphal in the state of Manipur, India. It was a strong earthquake which took at least 7 lives and left over 200 injured, with the tremors being felt in the other regions of the country as well as some neighbouring nations.

The series of earthquakes around the globe got a start with the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, devastating the nation and killing thousands of people. It was so strong a quake that it even caused avalanches on Mount Everest killing people not only in Nepal, but also in India, China and Bangladesh.

Prediction done by seismologists after the 2015 Nepal quakes seems to come true as they had predicted risk of India-Nepal earthquake elevating post last year's devastation.

There is nothing that we can do to prevent these natural disasters but being alert and acting swiftly may come as a relief in this devastating condition. Here are some points that should be kept in mind during an earthquake.

Do not use elevators, prefer taking stairs.

If you are driving, stop your vehicle and stay inside it till the quake stops.

Wherever you are, whether indoors or outdoors, stay calm and stay there.

Refrain from using candles, matches or any kind of inflammable material.

If you are indoors, stand against a wall, in a doorway or crawl under a desk or table. Do not stand near doors or windows.

If you are outdoors, choose an open place to stand so that nothing falls on you.