An elegy to disaster
Days have passed, hopes, moans and cries are heard or buried deep in the rubble. Was it a fury of God or an environmental change? Was it related somewhere to our own actions or as a result of movement between tectonic plates? The desperate effort of these plates to find each other has driven an unfathomable rift between the surface dwellers of this earth. Those who survived are still in a state of trauma; unable to realize the misery they have gone through, or what they are about to face.
Apart from all the scientific logic and theological reason, we must not neglect an important factor responsible for the casualties and injuries, the earthquake itself is less harmful compared to other natural disasters like floods, lightning, hurricanes and famines, since it not physically hitting a person where the latter definitely do, it is multi-story buildings and heavy material that wreaks great havoc. Most of the animals survived during the deadly shaking, only those that were kept as livestock died under the rubble along with the residents. Plants, trees and all plant life achieved their balance and stood up again after the earthquake, but the most superior and privileged homo sapiens, who have severed their ties to the ground, buried alive under the massive rubble, the very material that they had collected and hoarded for protection and comfort through desperate efforts and hard-earned money, in order to build the abode of their dreams. What about the land; if sometimes it refuses to give support, rather it reacts vehemently by throwing all the loads, we have put the crest in the form of a skyscraper.
After the great earthquake in Quetta in 1935, which caused colossal destruction on a large scale, a ban on multi-story buildings was imposed; but with the passage of time people put aside all precautions, they filled the city with towering concrete structures, recently they expressed their deep fear for the catastrophe as this city is also in the most sensitive area. Every day, the newspapers are full of stories from one area or another, including Karachi, Islamabad and Hafizabad, which are the likely targets of the looming disaster. Japan had to face the wrath of the earth several times and managed to overcome destruction, as one of their officials said “Now we are used to it”, because they developed technology in architecture to prevent loss of life and property. Although we have prospered in almost every field, including the telecommunication industry, electronics, etc., with each step in research, devices lose additional weight and become lighter, thinner, and more portable. Like our communication cell phones, delicate flat panel displays and laptop computers replaced heavy system phones, televisions, and computers, respectively. Ugly looking thick wires turned into fiber optics. On the contrary, our house is still surrounded by monobloc brick walls, columns, ceilings mostly made of hard slabs and iron bars, in addition to other accessories that we have installed in every nook and corner. No one thinks that in the event of a mishap, if all the material collapses, what will happen to human bodies that are not made of iron and concrete but of flesh and blood? No refined earthquake-proof building material has yet been introduced, although fiber technology is best suited for the purpose, but has not been used. Buildings constructed without approval of construction plans and not meeting the required standard could result in serious damage in mountainous areas in case of natural calamities. Unfortunately, we have left behind our traditional Mughal architecture, which used to build doom-like roofs, arched columns to not only beautify but also strengthen the structure. The walls of its castles and other monuments are thick, wider vaults filled with solid materials, despite having gone through innumerable earthquakes, disasters and wars, we still find them recognizable in façade and shape, compared to modern buildings that only take five seconds to collapse.
In the northern areas, the traditional architecture was in accordance with their culture, folklore and nature as well. They used to build hut like houses, usually made of wood and clay, they were in perfect harmony with the pyramid design like mountains, enough to protect the natives from snow, winter and earthquakes as well. But with the progressive and modern rise, these natives, following suit, forgot their own ecology and civilization, particularly in cities like Muzzafarabad and Mirpur, they imitated British and New Zealand designs by placing alienated model houses in lush green valleys. It is similar to whether one builds a glass house in the desert or a mud house in rainy areas.
Substandard material plays a major role in any destruction. Taking the example of the Margalla Tower into account, months before residents reported major structural failures, but authorities and concerned people paid no attention to them. All these factors raise a question mark in the highly publicized saga of housing colonies, towers and heights. We usually prefer to live in houses designed by totally uncaring construction companies who take no responsibility after apartment assignment, they gamble with precious lives for the sake of their own vested interests.
During this catastrophe, a weak bird could have secured its tender nest among the delicate branches of a tree, for up to now it has not abandoned its relationship with nature. We, on the other hand, the most privileged class of living beings, aware of all the facts, the reason and the consequences, do not worry about anything, rather, in the manner of the ostrich, we continue to pursue our desires, yearning for all the luxuries and luxurious lifestyle, in complete oblivion. build our own mass graves with our own hands.
During reconstruction, only approved plans should be executed, keeping in mind the upcoming challenges, as natural disasters are increasing rapidly due to the rise in the earth’s temperature. Since we don’t have another spare planet to make the switch to, this is the only earth in the entire universe that provides a cozy haven during life and doesn’t leave us in the lurch even after eternal sleep.