China News Service, Beijing, August 29 (Reporter Sun Zifa) The reporter learned from the China Earthquake Administration that the National Earthquake Intensity Rapid Reporting and Early Warning Project passed the completion acceptance and was put into use in July 2024. In the past two years, the China Earthquake Administration has publicly released earthquake early warning information more than 700 times, serving more than 90 million people, and the scale of earthquake early warning public services has exceeded 460 million people.
Look for official channels
The China Seismological Administration released the popular science information "Check Official Channels and Make Good Use of Earthquake Early Warning" through its official online platform. Earthquake early warning information belongs to earthquake situation information. Article 52 of the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Earthquake Prevention and Disaster Reduction" clearly stipulates that "information on earthquake situations, disaster situations, earthquake relief and other information shall be managed under centralized management in accordance with relevant regulations of the State Council, and shall be released in a unified, accurate and timely manner." Relevant enterprises and units can provide earthquake early warning information services to the public free of charge based on the principle of unified release and through processes such as technical evaluation and agreement signing.
So far, the China Earthquake Administration has reached cooperation with more than 30 companies and units to establish a public earthquake early warning information service channel system. The public can obtain authoritative earthquake early warning information through various channels such as mobile phones, special terminals, radio and television, and electronic whiteboards.
——Official WeChat applet. The public can search the "China Earthquake Network" applet on WeChat, click "Turn on earthquake warning", allow notification permissions and location permissions, and add cities to follow to receive early warnings. The official WeChat applet of each provincial earthquake bureau simultaneously provides early warning services. This channel is suitable for users of all brands of mobile phones. The entire process is free, and there is no need to download the app or register an account.
——Built-in early warning in the mobile phone system. At present, many domestic mobile phones have been connected to the China Earthquake Early Warning Network, and the early warning function is directly embedded in the operating system. Users can search for "earthquake warning" in the "Settings" of their mobile phones and turn on the switch without incurring any charges. The entrance location may differ between brands and system versions, and you can search and find it in the settings.
——Special terminal for earthquake early warning. The earthquake department has deployed more than 100,000 special earthquake early warning terminals in some schools, communities and other places across the country. The terminal occupies a small area and is easy to install and operate. It has a dedicated LCD screen, large speakers and other devices. It can broadcast popular science knowledge on earthquake prevention and disaster reduction at ordinary times, and automatically broadcast early warning information to people in the site during an earthquake, without the need for personal operation. If you need to install an earthquake early warning terminal, please contact the local earthquake department.
——Radio and television channels. In some areas of more than ten provinces, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xinjiang, people can receive official earthquake early warning information through IPTV and other channels. Users can receive early warning information by downloading and installing the earthquake warning APP through the recommendation on the homepage or searching in the application market. The information will be presented in the form of screen pop-ups and voice broadcasts according to the warning level. In addition, the public can also receive early warning information through radio stations, emergency broadcasts, etc. The information is mainly presented in the form of voice broadcasts.
Make good use of earthquake early warning
After receiving earthquake warning information, the public should first identify the earthquake warning level and warning duration, and then take flexible actions based on the actual situation.
According to the local estimated intensity, the earthquake warning is divided into four levels: I, II, III and IV, which are represented by red, orange, yellow and blue icons respectively. The early warning information will be marked with the magnitude, epicenter location, local estimated intensity (degree of damage) and countdown to the arrival of destructive seismic waves. The public should take these factors as a basis for action.
If you do not have the conditions for immediate evacuation, you can refer to the following general risk avoidance principles:
Level I warning (red warning): Take emergency evacuation measures during an earthquake and evacuate quickly and orderly after the strong shaking.
Level II warning (orange warning): Take shelter nearby during the earthquake, and evacuate to a safe area in time after the earthquake is over.
Level III warning (yellow warning): Maintain observation and precautions, pay attention to surrounding developments, and be prepared for risk avoidance.
Level IV warning (blue warning): No need to panic, maintain normal production and living order, and continue to pay attention to follow-up information.
Official popular science information emphasizes that in the process of emergency avoidance, one should adhere to the principles of adapting to local conditions, adapting to different people, acting quickly, and obeying orders, and master the key to avoiding danger by "crouching on the ground, covering up, and holding on with hands." After the strong vibration is completely over, move to a safe location quickly and orderly. (over)
