Lessons from the Quakes: 311, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, and the Cebu Earthquake – The Shaking Memories That India and Taiwan Can't Forget

Everyone must have felt that shaking late last night, right? It might have only been a few seconds, but that sudden jolt of fear can stick with you for the rest of the night. Living in a seismically active place, earthquakes are like that old acquaintance who stops by unannounced, just to remind us they're still around. Over the years, some tremors leave a mark you just can't shake off.

That Night, the Jolt in Hualien

I remember the earthquake in Hualien. At a magnitude of 5.7, it reached a seismic intensity of in some areas, and you could even feel it strongly in Taipei. I was watching TV in the living room when suddenly the whole world started spinning. The pendant lights were swinging like pendulums, and water from my glass sloshed halfway across the table. Looking at the data later, it wasn't the strongest quake, but that sudden, violent shock was an eye-opener for many of my friends in Taipei. It was the first time they truly understood, "So this is what people in Hualien deal with regularly." Later, when I talked to folks from Hualien about it, they just shrugged. They've developed this calm resilience; life goes on when the shaking stops, but they never let their guard down.

Japan's 3/11, A Scar We Share

When you talk about earthquakes, you can't ignore the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. That afternoon, I was in the office when the news alert flashed on my screen – a massive 9.0 magnitude quake had struck off the coast of Tōhoku, Japan. For the next few hours, TV screens worldwide were filled with images of those relentless tsunami waves swallowing entire towns. Although we were far away in Taiwan, our hearts collectively sank. Watching familiar cityscapes turn into vast oceans, that feeling of helplessness is still fresh. That disaster made everyone in India and across Asia more alert. We all share this Ring of Fire. We realised that a catastrophe of that scale isn't something we can ever assume won't happen here.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami, A Century's Tragedy

Go back a bit further, to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. At a staggering magnitude of 9.1, the tsunami it spawned claimed over 230,000 lives across South Asia. The internet wasn't what it is today, but television news played the horror on loop – the waves smashing into the coasts of Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. In an instant, happy holiday beaches turned into infernos. I remember my company organised a relief collection, and everyone emptied their pockets without a second thought. That raw, visceral shock had hit us right where we lived. Even now, watching a documentary about it brings that same tightness to my chest.

The Cebu Earthquake, A Wake-Up Call Next Door

Fast forward to more recent times, the 2025 Cebu earthquake. Though it happened in the Philippines, the devastation spread worldwide in an instant through social media. Seeing those centuries-old churches crumble and the panic-stricken residents drove home a crucial point: earthquakes respect no borders. India, Taiwan, the Philippines – we're all on this shared tectonic stage. What happened in Cebu yesterday could very well be our story tomorrow. In the days that followed, I noticed many friends seriously checking their emergency kits for the first time. Some even signed up for first-aid training. That feeling of "this could really happen to us" was more tangible than ever before.

What the Earthquakes Taught Us

After going through so much upheaval, we've picked up a few lessons. It's clear to anyone that panic helps no one; preparation is everything. Here are some basic disaster preparedness tips I believe are essential, things we all need to keep in mind:

• Anchor Your Furniture: Secure heavy wardrobes, bookshelves, and TVs to the wall with L-brackets. During a quake, they can become lethal projectiles.
• Pack an Emergency Kit: Keep it near your exit. At a minimum, it should have water, dry rations, a torch, a radio (with extra batteries), photocopies of ID, and some cash.
• The "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" Drill: Protect your head first. Don't waste precious seconds trying to open doors or run outside.
• Check Gas, Water, and Electricity: If you smell gas after the shaking stops, immediately shut off the main valve and open windows. Absolutely no open flames.
• Rely on Official Information: Download the weather bureau's earthquake warning app for instant, accurate alerts. Don't get misled by unverified rumours or forwards.

Earthquakes are a part of life on this land. We can't choose that, but we can choose how we respond. Hopefully, each tremor makes us more alert, more resilient, and more united. The next time the ground starts to roll, I hope we can all stand firm, and then just turn to each other and ask, "You okay?"