Natures fury

Japan is the most developed country in Asia and one of the most developed countries in the world. Being in the ring of fire, a zone of seismic activity in the Pacific region Japan had taken every precaution and was fully geared up to meet the very real possibility of an earthquake.

Then disaster struck and despite being one of the most prepared nations in the world Japan cowered under natures fury.
First there was the massive earthquake and then an earthquake triggered tsunami. Over eight thousand people have lost their lives and eleven thousand are still missing.The coastline is covered with debris. Mangled cars, capsized boats,broken houses are scattered everywhere. Once genteel villages have vanished. There were fires everywhere. Japan is even now facing the challenge of a nuclear crisis.
Looking at the pictures and listening to the news , I cant even begin to imagine what the Japanese people must be going through.
It makes me realise just how vulnerable we all are.
We think we are so powerful with our fancy cars, our latest gadgets and our posh houses which we try to cram with every comfort possible. Japan had all the latest technology and a sophisticated system of nuclear reactors to guarantee an almost limitless supply of power.Everything was well organised, All contingency plans were in place.
Yet they were no competition for natures fury.
Looking back at the events of the last week I cant help but realise how very powerless we are and how we are no match for nature.
Anything can happen to any one at any time.
The thought scares me . I cower with the thought of my own helplessness and insignificance.



Image   http://www.shmula.com/japan-earthquake-2011-queueing/8321/

It all happened in an instant

. It was a calm peaceful Friday afternoon . People were already planning for the weekend ahead,when disaster struck.It just took an instant for life to change forever for the people of Japan

 First there was the earth quake.A massive 9.0 earthquake. Japan is in the ring of fire- a zone of seismic activity in the  Pacific region.They live under the constant threat of earthquakes. Their houses are built to withstand the impact of an earthquake,there are warning systems and disaster management plans in place..But they have never experienced such a high intensity earthquake.As the ground trembled with strong aftershocks people scrambled around in panic as they tried to protect themselves.

But the worst was not over.Within half an hour Japan felt natures fury once again as a violent tsunami swept over the north east coast, destroying everything in its path. Cars were lifted as if they were plastic toys, buildings were destroyed, ships were overthrown and a train was flung far away from its tracks.As the wild waters carried everything in its path, the debris caused even more damage.People were swept away and villages were destroyed. The death toll is mounting with each passing day.Today over six thousand people are reported dead and over seven thousand are still missing.

They say that trouble comes in threes. After a massive earthquake and a monstrous tsunami Japan is now battling against a nuclear meltdown. The force of the water destroyed the pumping systems which had been built to control the temperatures in the nuclear plants.The Japanese are cautious people. They had made alternate plans to be deployed in case of an emergency. Incredibly all plans failed.

Today many brave Japanese are courageously trying to save the situation. They are using helicopters to dump water over the reactors to try and cool down the spent fuel . But things can go either way and radiation levels are known to be rising.

Amidst all this tragedy and uncertainty the Japanese people have remained calm and cool. There is no fighting, no panic , no looting. They accept everything stoically.This is their worst disaster since World War when Hydrogen bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Refusing to be defeated they went on to become the third most developed country in the world.

Today even as Japan struggles with widespread destruction and tragedy and even as they mourn for the loss of life and the misery of over four million people who have been evacuated form their homes one thing is clear. Japan is going to emerge from this disaster, stronger than ever.


Image   http://newamericamedia.org/2011/03/tsunami-country-man-vs-nature-in-japans-devastated-northeast.php

Earthquake of 8.9 magnitude devastates Japan

Less than 10 hours ago ,there was a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake on the Pacific coast of Japan.This was followed by over 30 powerful aftershocks.The earthquake was so powerful that it is reported that the tremors were felt up to Beijing.

Within a short time, the earthquake triggered a deadly tsunami which swept over the north-eastern coast of Japan causing widespread destruction . The huge waves swept inwards carrying a deadly load of debris which destroyed everything in its path

Houses crumbled and cars were carried and tossed by the massive waves.

A tragedy of epic proportions is unfolding in Japan. There has already been a huge loss of human life and the worst is not yet over. There are over 80 fires raging around Japan including a massive fire at an oil refinery. Two nuclear plants are in danger and have been shut down. Thankfully, there are no reports of any radiation leaks.

Two of the airports have been shut down..There has been a complete breakdown of transport and communications systems. A ship carrying over a 100 passengers was swept into the sea by the tsunami. A passenger train has been reported as missing..

Even as the government tries to take control of the situation, offers of help and support are pouring in from all quarters of the world

.But the danger is not over. Nor is it confined to Japan. Over 50 countries located in the Pacific Rim face the danger of the tsunami which is already making its way across the Pacific Ocean. An alert has been sounded to all places in its path.Right now the gigantic wave is reported to be speeding towards the western coast of the USA. It is shortly expected to strike the coastal region of California.

People in the danger zones have been advised to stay away from the beaches and the sea. They have been asked to evacuate to higher lying ares. We hope and pray that these places do not feel the fury of the tsunami and that people follow the safety instructionas and remain safe.

But for Japan, its going to be a long night


Image  http://2daynewsupdates.blogspot.com/