Asian earthquakes and typhoons intensify

A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale was experienced on Friday in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia has again raised the fear of earthquakes in the Indian Ocean.

Indonesia, which is in a vulnerable quake zone called ‘the Pacific Rim of Fire,’ where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity experienced another earthquake on November 18, with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale but there were no immediate reports of a tsunami.

The duty meteorologist at the Meteorology Department said although Indonesia may experience continuous earthquakes, there was less chance of Sri Lanka experiencing a potential tsunami but advised it was important to be vigilant about climate changes.

Meanwhile typhoons in Philippines and Vietnam have intensified and people living in coastal villages and riverbanks of eastern Philippines are being evacuated as Typhoon ‘Mitag’ was to hit the shores. Last year’s floods and mudslides in Bicol killed thousands so immediate evacuation is taking place to avoid such a disaster.

In Vietnam, officials are in the process of evacuating around 500,000 people as Typhoon ‘Hagibis’ is veering towards Vietnam and is expected to hit Vietnam’s southern coast this weekend.