A day in my life with an Earthquake of Richter scale 5

When the earthquake at Indonesia carried its impact till Chennai, it was the first time I encountered an earthquake and it was the very first time I ever realised how much I valued my life.It all started after lunch on that ‘D-day’. I remember I had so much work and post lunch, I was busy continuing them. Suddenly, my friend Anu pinged me in the MOC and asked whether my chair is shaking. I thought she was kidding. I turned back and asked Pradeepa whether she experienced anything. She too laughed at this.

But there started a commotion, when all the people who experienced this got agitated and wanted to move out. It was, by then, I realised a little movement. I got literally scared out of my wits. I started feeling a bit of nausea. Then all of us took the emergency exit and assembled at the safe point. All were so sceptic and wanted to know if their dear ones at home are safe. They wanted to reach them but in vain.

Only one mobile had network. 3 Guesses who. Yes, it was mine. Idea 3G. :) Such a great work of the Idea sir Ji to have a good connection at my office. All the while, we were chatting, made fun of all, and reacted like school kids who were just announced a holiday but I felt the worst is not over. I called up my aunt to check if she is fine and she said there has been a tsunami alert.

My thought was just one thing. It’s going to be my last day on earth. Well, believe me folks, I am not exaggerating, you see, my office is at the OMR and most probably affected, when, I should say, if ever Tsunami hits.

A while later, fed up of waiting in the hot sun and thinking of the pending work to complete, we made our way back to cubicles. I was so relieved to see a mail from the management saying the worst is over and things have restored to normalcy. My dear brother George was calling me every ten minutes asking me to leave office ASAP as it was very close to the sea.

As I was answering his calls and reading the mail again, I experienced the same shaking again. I was confused. Should I believe the mail or my senses? I voted for my senses. (Of course I trust myself alone :) ). I decided to flee.

Then we got the news that our buses would ply in another half an hour. I couldn’t run immediately as I had work to complete. Finally completing everything at a speed equal to the speed of light, (ok ok, I accept, less than that :P ) we ran towards the bus bay.

It was more crowded than usual (Obvious). I was so lucky to have got a seat in my bus after which there were around 20 standing. Now another problem. The traffic was just too much. The driver declared he would reach the destination in about 3 to 4 hours or even more which would usually take 1 and a half hour.

Though shocked, I was relived to reach home. I plugged in my earphones to tune my FM to check the news. What I heard in the radio that day, I can never forget. The RJ was eagerly interviewing an earthquake victim about his experience. Then she said Please call to this number and share your experience too and you may win couple movie tickets to the recent movie released. ROFL.:) :) :)  (Well, actually I couldn’t really roll on the floor as it was crowded)

I called up my people back home and said I may turn up very late but that I was safe. Two guys suddenly declared in my bus that they know a different route avoiding the traffic. The driver agreed and with the help of them we started along ‘the path less travelled.’ The road was very bumpy. All along the way so many people were jeering at us, saying run run run tsunami is approaching. I felt bad. How can people behave like this in such a situation? The real reason was that the tsunami alert was withdrawn quite a long time back, I later realized. :)

Wonders of wonders, I reached home much earlier than my usual time, thanks to those two guys. I learnt two important things in life that day.

Life is not permanent and I cannot hold on to it as long as I wish. Anything can happen at any time. Be prepared.

Secondly, when just for an earthquake on a scale of 5, my scare level broke the scale; imagine the people who have suffered the worst in their lives. So, help those who are not that blessed as I am, as much as I can.

Earthquake news has taken the back seat very long back and I can understand your reaction at me for sharing this now. Couldn’t help it.  :)  

C&S Most welcome.