In a statement issued here on Monday, the MQM chief appealed to the federal government that disaster management cells be established in all the four provinces.
He said the earthquake of October 8 was one of the worst in the history of mankind. Movements of earth plates were 8 kilometres deep that caused vibrations resulting in worst earthquake in Kashmir and NWFP.
The seismic friction of earth plates causing heat waves, which resulted in intermittent aftershocks in far off places. That is why shock waves were also felt in Karachi.
As Karachi is also within the earthquake belt, heat waves can bring about earthquake in Karachi, he said. He appealed to the people of Karachi that along with praying to God Almighty for safety, they should also take necessary steps to deal with any uninvited mishap on an emergency basis.
In addition to an earthquake response plan, the people should strengthen co-ordination and communications among themselves, he advised.
Lake of co-ordination and communications causes excessive damage because all communication links are severed during an earthquake.
He apprehended a tsunami is also likely in the event of a coastal earthquake. He appealed to the federal government to import heavy machinery on a Save Our Souls (SOS) basis.
He also asked provincial governments, particularly the Sindh government, to also order helicopters and heavy machinery to combat unforeseen events.
He asked the people to be mentally prepared for such event. The reason so many people lost their lives in Kashmir and NWFP is that public never expected such an earthquake of this magnitude nor the department of seismology ever forecast any seismic movement in that areas.-PR