The minor earthquake in UAE in Fujairah in the Safad area at 12:35 PM local time was about 3.3 on the Richter scale. According to the National Centre Meteorology (NCM), the earthquake was at shallow depth of about 2.3 kilometers. The residents in the area felt slight shaking but no damage was mentioned as well as no injuries were reported. This small tremor is not the first one in the UAE previously, since others were experienced in Khor Fakkan and Abu Dhabi. Nature Conservation Marshals are following up seismic activities keenly and remind the residents to remain calm and observe protection guidelines whenever such shakes are experienced. This incident shows the significance of awareness and preparedness even where major earthquakes are relatively a rare occurrence.
Although such earthquake is not normal in such a country. Nature again proved that it could still surprise you, even when it comes to such a secular place. As so many residents went about their day shaking their heads and writing off as a freak occurrence, some began to ask another question. What would have happened had it been stronger?
The UAE is not a leading epicenter of earthquakes but given its location straddling the line between two tectonic plates- the Arabian Plate and the Indian Plate-it is prone to the occasional shake. These plates keep moving at all times and when it drifts, even slightly, it may result in smaller earthquakes. Although earthquakes in UAE are minor, it does not mean that they cannot occur.
What Should You Do If the Earth Shakes?
The earthquake in UAE were quite light, but it is still easy to forget that during a natural disaster such as an earthquake knowing what to do can mean the difference between harmless safety and an injury. Experts recommend minor steps that all people ought to implement even when it comes to smaller earthquakes:
Take cover on the ground and hide behind a sturdy object like a table and protect the head and neck. When there is no shelter you can just huddle in a corner and cover up.
Outside: You should find an open place which should be not near any building, trees, or power lines.
When driving: If you are traveling in a vehicle, then you should stop at a safe location, and remain inside the vehicle. Do not get out of it until the shaking continues. Things such as bridges and trees may prove to be hazardous during an earthquake.
Those might seem like simple precautions but in a time of panic, they might be able to prevent injury or even death.
UAE Priorities to Remain Ready
Though this is not an everyday concern in this region, the UAE has developed measures to Fortify its structures and communities on the event of an earthquake. The country has introduced building codes over the years that can withstand quakes whose magnitude is up to 6.0. Such ordinances make most buildings in cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi ready even to withstand slight shaking.
The Abu Dhabi Crisis and Disasters Management Centre (ADCMC) similarly runs its own emergency preparedness programmes, such as “Our Community is Prepared”, which is oriented on the training of residents on emergency response. Using these programs, local authorities cooperate with citizens and spread awareness of safety guidelines and make sure that people are prepared in case a larger earthquake occurs.
Keeping It Simple Stages To Be Prepared
To be prepared, experts advise doing the following simple things:
Prepping an Emergency Kit: Have ready important items such as fresh water, non-perishable foodstuff, and a flashlight. A good kit, once prepared, can be a literal life-saving process in a time of need.
Securing Furniture: Heavy furniture and appliances are likely to cause severe injuries in such cases that they fall down. A little bit of effort in the area of ensuring these goods can go a long way.
Determine Your Escape Routes: You can see what sort of escape routes there can be in the case of a gas leak by familiarizing yourself with evacuation plans and exits, especially in the case of a high-rise building.
These are easy measures that can prevent panics and assure safety during the occurrence of the bigger earthquake.
What is the UAE doing globally?
The UAE does not solely look at disaster management in the context of domestic emergencies, but they also anticipate the roles they will play with regard to relief efforts on the international stage. The UAE has supported disaster relief at all levels through assisting those in need, both nationally and internationally, in a natural disaster as well as dispatching rescue teams to other regions in need.
Residents of Abu Dhabi and the UAE were reminded that even the seemingly rare occurrence can pose a risk loudly and clearly when the earthquake in Al Sila a appeared. Although there were no damages as a result of the tremor, it left a lot of people wondering how they would survive the worst.
And whether they are taking precaution to secure their own home, preparing an emergency kit, or just learning how to behave in the case of an earthquake, everything will work tomorrow should some participant take such precaution today. Earthquakes may be uncommon here but it is always a prudent idea to be prepared to handle the unfamiliar.
