The nation marked the twenty fourth anniversary of the catastrophic Aug. 17, 1999 earthquake, with a poignant reminder of the enduring risk of seismic occasions looming over ceremonies held throughout the nation. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which struck the northwestern province of Kocaeli, resulted within the lack of hundreds of lives and stands as a somber testomony to the vulnerability of this earthquake-prone area.
The epicenter of the Marmara earthquake was Gölcük, a city within the Kocaeli province and housing a distinguished naval base. The devastating tremor not solely wreaked havoc in Gölcük but in addition left a path of destruction in its wake, affecting close by areas corresponding to Yalova and Istanbul.
In a mere 45 seconds within the early morning hours of Aug. 17, 1999, numerous buildings had been decreased to rubble, and within the days that adopted, the arduous process of recovering each the deceased and the residing from the particles commenced. However, the restoration effort would fade when in comparison with the prolonged interval required for reconstruction and elevating consciousness that it isn’t the earthquake itself that claims lives, however relatively the fragility of poorly constructed buildings unable to resist even the slightest tremor.
The “Marmara,” or “Izmit,” earthquake was thought of some of the devastating earthquakes of the final century, till the grim mantle was handed to the latest Feb. 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş disaster marked by 7.7 and seven.6 magnitude tremors putting the southern area of the nation, ensuing within the lack of over 50,000 lives and plunging numerous extra into uncertainty.
In the early hours of the anniversary, victims of the Gölcük catastrophe had been commemorated at 3:02 a.m. native time. Gathered on the Kavaklı Beach monument, mourners paid their respects and supplied prayers for the souls misplaced within the earthquake. Gölcük Mayor Ali Yıldırım Sezer, addressing the gathering, underscored that even after 24 years, the ache of that fateful occasion stays palpable.
Similar poignant gatherings occurred in Istanbul’s Avcılar district, the place an earthquake monument on Marmara Street served as a backdrop for a second of silence and the rendition of the National Anthem.
Threat persists
However, the specter of seismic threats persists. The most up-to-date Feb. 6 tremors have been termed the deadliest by way of casualties, highlighting the pressing want for preemptive measures in opposition to an impending Istanbul earthquake that consultants predict may have devastating penalties. As the nation finds itself located upon a number of lively fault strains, together with essentially the most susceptible Northern Anatolian Fault, vulnerability stays a regarding actuality.
Istanbul, the bustling coronary heart of the nation, bears a very grim forecast. Experts predict {that a} main earthquake will inevitably strike this densely populated megacity. In response, requires stringent security measures and preparedness efforts have reverberated all through the nation. This extends past Istanbul, as the continual aftershocks skilled in areas like Malatya and different southern provinces function stark reminders of the continued hazard.
To bolster Istanbul’s readiness for a looming high-magnitude earthquake, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has launched into a complete four-phase plan. Minister Mehmet Özhaseki revealed {that a} particular earthquake legislation is being formulated to expedite this preparedness. Notably, discussions with numerous municipal our bodies have commenced, with city transformation initiatives underway in 188 places throughout town.
With an emphasis on renovation and revitalization, Özhaseki burdened that the renovation of roughly 165,000 residences is at present in progress to make sure the security and well-being of its residents within the face of such unpredictable pure disasters.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
