Earthshaking new apps on phones

 

Dear Sir,

 

The announcement that newly configured apps on smartphones could provide timeous warnings of earthquakes, is undoubtedly the scientific feat of 2013.

No stone is being left unturned in the search for the true goal of geophysics, the ability to predict accurately and reliably potentially damaging earthquakes.

From 2000 to 2010, there were 13 earthquakes ranging from 8.0 to 9.9 in magnitude. There were 154 recorded earthquakes from 7.0 to 7.9.

Within the next few years a  9.00 magnitude earthquake will strike one of the major cities in the world. The death toll will be horrendous. The destruction will overwhelm mankind. The new apps will give us a little time to escape. A warning of as little as 15-20 seconds can be sufficient to change traffic lights to prevent traffic entering motorways, allow air traffic controllers to turn away inbound aircraft, shutdown factory production lines, turn off gas pipelines and save valuable computer data.

The seismic gun is cocked and loaded. We are involved in a race against time.

Farouk Araie, Johannesburg

 

A new brand of politics emerging

Dear Sir,

Though the editorial “Lesson for India: It’s tough being a democracy”  (Gulf Times, December 11) made an interesting analysis, I feel the headline should have been “Lessons  for/from India; the beauty of democracy.”  

The results of five states’ assembly elections widely proved that in a democracy only people’s will and choice  bear the stamp that can rule them.  However mighty  the leaders are, they will bite the dust through the ballot.

Certainly, a new brand of politics has emerged with a large number of novices making their debut and won in the elections. This has heralded in a big shift in political attitude among the public as well as the parties.

But, only time will tell the outcome of the election results whether this historic beginning can prevail for a long time and all political parties toe the same line.

H K Madhu, hkmadhu64@gmail.com

 

Car washing at parking areas

Dear Sir,

I would like to bring this to the kind attention of the concerned authorities about a guy washing a number of cars using potable water adjacent Oryx Rotana Hotel which is causing a nuisance to pedestrians and tenants. 

Is this permitted by law to wash cars using potable water?

When I enquired I was told that this guy has been washing cars for a while here and does it on Fridays.  

If this is against the law can the Doha Municipality take the necessary action to curb this problem.   

Jackson, jacksonville16@gmail.com

 

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