Calamities in Japan

On Friday, one of my colleagues told me that he had received news from friends that there had been a tsunami in Japan. I was busy at that time, so I did not put much thought to it. I remembered thinking it was probably just a small tsunami. But as more news got out, the earth quake and tsunami in Japan turned out to be a magnitude of 9! The extent of damages and lives lost has been painful to watch. The pictures of houses and cars swept away by the sea water were very devastating. I read that entire towns and villages have been wiped out. Thousands of people are dead and maybe ten thousand more are missing. This calamity is of a gigantic proportion. Being in Malaysia which is free from earth quakes, I really cannot imagine the ordeal the Japanese people are facing right now.

Even when rescue works are still underway to save those who are trapped and find those who are missing at the coastal areas affected by the tsunami, the nuclear power plant problems came about to add more salt to the wound. The reactors were exploding due to the damaged cooling system caused by the earthquake and undying efforts are being made to stop other reactors from exploding and leaking radioactive radiation to the surrounding areas. People around the world are starting to panic. People in Malaysia are questioning the plans to build nuclear power plants in the country. I rightfully think that this matter must be thoroughly thought through and studied. Unless totally necessary, it should be avoided. Put loads of money into researching for alternative fuel and power sources. Make people less dependent on electricity. Change lifestyles, make more energy efficient equipment. Anything and everything to avoid dabbing in nuclear technology. Even a 1st world country like Japan can be affected by such unexpected incidents, I am really far from convinced that we are equipped to handle it in this country, not even in 10 to 20 years’ time.

It doesn't rain but it pours for Japan. Such sad turn of events in Japan, a definitive technologically advance country. It goes to show no amount of technology can beat mother earth's ferocity. But the Japanese are strong-willed people and quoting from the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia in the report in The Star, “Japan is really a country of natural calamities. But we have overcome past calamities and we have to overcome this one.” The people in Japan are calm in the face of such grim disasters, much to the admiration of all nations. They are truly a great nation. I pray for the mercy of God on the people affected in Japan. God, please save the souls and give strength to the people to overcome all the hardships that will follow. Amen.