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Some of the trials and tribulations of earthquake-riven
Christchurch...
Further to my recent post,"Taking Things for Granted", I want to comment further about the trials and tribulations of Cantabrians residing in the Garden City of Christchurch.
I mentioned the state of homes and streets in my home town - the damage, the loss of roofs or is it rooves(?)broken bricks, the dried and watered liquefaction - a new word that emanated after the
Sept 4 earthquake. There are now heaps of liquefaction lying on the side of the road, waiting for collection by contractors. These are the results of the efforts of home-owners who have shovelled and wheelbarrowed the filthy grey crap from their sections. At the height of the earthquake this filthy grey oozing crap seeped through the ground and over properties and streets, in school yards, factory sites, church grounds and everywhere else. Streets and roads have been damaged by this assault of the "Grey Blob". Does anybody remember the 1960's horror 'The Blob' that attacked an American town and absorbed all lifeforms in its red path? But this stuff still smells a fortnight after the quake.
The eastern suburbs are a mess, and in some streets houses and other buildings will have to be torn down. Some will never be rebuilt there. Some areas will eventually become parkland and reserves.
Power has been restored to over 80% of homes, water to most, but seweage to only 50%. Portaloos are being distributed slowly around these suburbs, and chemical toilets from America are also being distributed to homes in the worst areas.
In the
CBD and some suburbs, AOS police (
Armed Offenders Squad) are patrolling armed with Glocks on their hips. Kiwi cops are like their British counterparts unarmed on general patrols. This should have some effect on any potential looters or other criminals. These AOS cops are crack shots with handguns and rifles. These policemen in their dark blue are having a positive on crime figures which are about average on normal crime statistics. The regular police in their light blue can concentate on other areas. The 300 Aussie cops are still around assisting their Kiwi counterparts.
I must say I will never forget the international assistance given to Christchurch, especially by our Aussie neighbours and cousins who reacted immediately when the offers of help were accepted.
NZ battled away successfully on their own during the first earthquake on Sept 4, but our leaders knew this time it was too big a job for the resources of our country alone. I saw at first hand the results of the second quake two weeks today.
After shocks continue - about seven last night alone. These are badly affecting the nerves of Christchurch residents, including my own family, who have problems sleeping properly. There have ben around 5,000 altogether after the two earthquakes. School has started again for some of the children, but many schools are damaged. The psychological effects on the children, and adults for that matter, are unknown
Seventy thousand people have left Christchurch, most short term, some in the medium term, and others who will never return.
The earthquake of Sept 4 was 7.1 on the
Richter Scale, but while the second on Feb 22 was less at 6.3, it was much shallower and had the power of a nine!
The death-toll is currently 166, and should be less in total after it was discovered that the 22 supposed fatalities from the rubble of the Cathedral's spire, did not occur. Forty four names have been released. Despite complaints from the Japanese about the slowness of releasing names, only about ten
Japanese family members remain in Christchurch. The NZ coroner has defended the alleged slowness taken by qualifying it was important for families to have the information correct, and rightly so.
From a sporting point of view the Crusaders
Super 15 rugby franchise's home games are in doubt at
AMI Stadium (the old Lancaster Park)and two will be played in Nelson. A new home is being sought because Nelson is a small ground and the Crusader's franchise has to have regular income. It is not inconceivable that one game could be played against a South African side at Twickenham, possibly the Sharks. Some other sporting events in Christchurch have been relocated as well, notably the Anzac Rugby league test against Australia.
From a more disturbing viewpoint AMI Stadium could be in doubt for the Rugby World Cup. There are visible signs of damage to the stadium. The turf that has been destroyed by liquefaction can, of course, be relaid. It comes in rolls now, just like carpet.
So these are some of the effects on Christchurch from my point of view. I, unfortunately, had to go down to Christchurch to attend my younger brother's funeral, and witnessed the effects on my home town. While I was there I witnessed some aftershocks - one of which was quite sharp and scary, and also learned that Wellington had a couple of earthquakes too while I was absent.
Where else to go? Northland never has earthquakes they say. Christchurch never had a faultline too. Yeah right!
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