Dabawenyos can still be calm and funny even in times of earthquakes.
Wednesday’s powerful temblor experience was no different.
Moments after the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit the city, netizens went to social media to share their experience. These days, first-hand narratives are even faster than breaking news reports. That’s the power of the internet at work.
However, despite the digital age, people still fall prey miserably to misinformation. That night, many of Dabawenyos living along coastal areas panicked in fear of a tsunami. Hundreds of families immediately evacuated to higher ground as the tsunami scare gripped the communities.
Although unconfirmed, Dabawenyos still manage to poke some laughter out of the tense situation as stories of a girl named “Chona Mae” (pronounced in stiff Cebuano tongue) being called by her hysterical mother was said to have triggered the mass evacuation.
But seriously, in this day and age of social media and Google, it is best to understand what tsunami is.
It begins with knowing the warning signs of tsunami.
Tsunamis are caused by an underwater disturbance – usually an undersea earthquake. Hence, if ground shaking near the coast is felt, it’s time to evacuate at once to higher ground. People who are near the seashore during a strong earthquake are at the highest risk.
Rapid changes in the water level are an indication of an approaching tsunami. Any unusual disturbance of the ocean, such as the water withdrawing far from shore, it is important to move to high ground. As the waves approach the shallow coastal waters, they may appear normal and the speed decreases. In some cases, the water level may remain low for quite some time, due to the longer period of tsunami waves. However, as the tsunami nears the coastline, it may grow to great height and smash into the shore, causing much destruction. The first wave of a tsunami is generally not the largest. It is important to stay away from the coast until wave activity has subsided, which is commonly several hours or up to days until local authority declares that it is safe.
In the light of the horrible experience of Wednesday’s temblor, it is important to heed all the natural warning signs, as well as the official warnings and advisories issued by local authority.
And not just shouts of a hysterical mom.
