Powerful earthquake

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the coast of Indonesia and claimed a number of precious human lives has made the whole world sad (“At least 38 dead after Indonesia’s magnitude-7.7 earthquake,” Aug.15, Gulf Today website).

According to the report, Indonesian uthorities issued a tsunami warning and urged coastal residents to move to higher ground, but later lifted the warning.

Despite the fact that science has reached a point that amazes everyone, when it comes to natural disasters like earthquakes, science and advanced information technology still fail to reveal the exact time and location where an earthquake will strike so that the world can be prepared and do the needful to save people from such disasters.

The news from different parts of the world regarding forest fires, heat waves, unusually heavy rain, and flooding is now becoming the new normal, claiming hundreds of lives frequently. Now, news of earthquakes in different parts of the world is also becoming the new normal.

The world has to be serious about climate change and its disasters. Climate change has slowly affected all segments of life, which is a matter of serious concern.

I am sure the Indonesian government will leave no stone unturned to help its people in times of hardship.

Shaheen Iqbal
By email