Sichuan Quake

The major earthquake in Sichuan China shocked the world. At a magnitude of 7.8, several hundred thousands of pple lost their life. Many Chinese remembered the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake that killed more than 100,000 pple. This time, the earthquake is equally deadly n severe. PM Wen Jiabao had to make his way to the quake zone to coordinate the rescue effort.

I have been following thru the news today. CCTV and Taiwanese media has been running full bulletin round the clock, featuring abt the quake. Reporters from Taiwan, Hongkong have flown in to give a more international coverage. I am sadden by wat i saw from the various overseas media. The pictures are really devastating. Buildings collapse, road cracks, landslides, pple roaming in the streets! Many victims are trapped below the rubble.

Many pple are crying for help. I saw many kids trapped under the rubble, waiting for rescue. Hungry victims were grabbing for food to eat, while some tried to hop on the bus to leave the city. Can you imagine an entire city turning into hell? This is wat we see. I cant help but feel very sorry for all the victims.

Now, many pple have argued if their experts and technologies are well developed to detect the earthquake early so as to prevent more casualties. Surprisingly, it din. More resources have been channeled to economic development. As a result, there was no proper system to do a check. China has been badly hit by catastrophe this year! First it was the half a century worst snow ever experience in China, then HFMD outbreak, now earthquake.

Not to forget, Tibet protest have marred China's effort to host the Olympics in August this year. When the torch went round the globe, many protestors took to the streets to get rid of wat some described as the "evil" flame. With all these going on, i seriously wonder if China is able to handle. It is major test put to the newly elected Chinese Government under Hu Jintao's rule. It will probably take sometime before one can rate their capabilities!