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CNN Analysis/Lessons learned from the devastating earthquake in Taiwan

2024-04-05 13:02:37Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

 

CNN Analysis/Lessons learned from the devastating earthquake in Taiwan

CNN has dedicated a long article to the 7.4 earthquake that struck Taiwan two days ago, killing 12 people and leaving 700 others in ruins. But even though the intensity of the blow is of a destructive power, the damage to human life and material is disproportionate to the blows of similar intensity in the past in this country, but also in other countries. Qualitative constructions, rapid response of rescue forces and training of the population for such disasters that on balance bring consequences of a massive destruction in human and material costs. But Taiwan did it and the answer is here.

What we learned from the Taiwan earthquake

Wu was preparing breakfast for customers at the small hotel he runs in Taiwan's Hualien County when the shelves around him shook violently and the mountain behind his house began to rumble. Fearing that the building would collapse, he led his guests to safety. Across the river, steep slopes tumbled from the mountains, while clouds of dust rose into the air.

But Wu's home suffered little damage from Wednesday's 7.4-magnitude tremor, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, something he attributed to measures taken to make the island more earthquake-resistant.

“Our government conducted a comprehensive review of building codes after the 1999 earthquake, and all buildings that go up must use new technologies that make them more resilient to earthquakes,” he says.

Fifteen years ago, when he began building his two-story guesthouse near the entrance to Taroko Gorge—a national park famous for its steep, marble-walled canyons—Wu had to get government approval for the conditions to be met. earthquakes.

And experts say changes like this have helped the seismically-shocked island avoid victims of devastating earthquakes like the one that struck Wednesday.

"I feel very lucky," Wu says of the extremely low damage caused by the massive earthquake. "It's not too bad."

Wednesday's earthquake was the most intense since 1999, when a 7.7-magnitude quake struck the island, killing 2,400 people and injuring 10,000.

But this time, the number of victims is much lower. As of Thursday, 12 people had been killed and just over 1,000 injured, with several remaining missing, according to authorities.

"It's a remarkable result," said Daniel Aldrich, a professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University who studies the resilience of cities, calling the very low death toll from a strong and powerful earthquake near a urban area".

"Other disasters around 7.5 (magnitude) have caused far more casualties than we have seen so far in Taiwan," he said, citing tens of thousands of deaths during previous earthquakes in Haiti, India and China.

"We grew up with earthquakes"

Wednesday's earthquake hit Taiwan's rural east coast. The west of the island is where most people live, home to the largest cities, an extensive high-speed rail network, and most of the industrial center.

Most of the destruction – and deaths – occurred in remote rural areas in the Hualien region.

But even those who lost their lives happened as a result of falling stones and landslides. Four of the victims were hiking in Taroko Gorge, four died on mountain highways and another was working in a quarry, according to authorities.

So far, only one person was killed in a collapsed building – the Uranus Building in downtown Hualien. The victim initially ran away but returned to save her cat, CNN affiliate SET reported.

Taiwan's earthquake preparedness comes from lessons learned from the devastating earthquake 25 years ago, experts say.

When the earthquake struck in 1999, Taiwan was very unprepared, Aldrich said, citing corruption in the construction industry, a lack of building regulations and insufficient coordination in rescue efforts.

That earthquake left more than 100,000 buildings across Taiwan completely or partially collapsed, including nearly 300 schools. Buildings were also flattened in the capital Taipei, about 100 miles from the epicenter of the quake.

"What we've seen since then is massive improvements across the system, what I would call a top-down set of responses," Aldrich said, referring to the work authorities have done to discipline new construction with conditions. and technical rules of time.

From top to bottom, the government strengthened disaster management laws, improved coordination for rescue and relief, and enforced stricter earthquake-resistant building codes.

"They have imposed heavy fines and penalties on construction firms for the quality of works on the buildings. And there's been a really serious investment in all the new buildings," said Aldrich.

The example of Taiwan

The government launched a campaign to assess, renovate or rebuild public buildings to increase their ability to withstand stronger earthquakes, with schools being a priority. The campaign has since expanded to private buildings, such as Wu's.

September 21 – the date the deadly earthquake struck in 1999 – is now a designated day for disaster drills in Taiwan, with alert messages sent to mobile phones across the island and schools holding evacuation drills.

Hualien Mayor Wei Chia-yen attributes the relatively low death toll in his city to advanced preparation.

"Here in Hualien, we grew up with earthquakes," he said inside a gymnasium turned shelter within hours of the quake.

For residents whose houses have been damaged or who are afraid to return due to further shaking, rows of tents have been set up, while boxes of food and drinks have been spread on the tables.

Wei himself was injured by an object falling on his left leg and was using crutches to get through the shelter.

"Our teachers and relatives have always taught us how to react when earthquakes strike," he said. "So we've known about it since we were kids."


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