After the crash can come another shock: no signal, no lights and no certainty about which road is open. Network failures turn a geological emergency into a human ordeal.
Why phones stop working
Simultaneous calls can overload a network even when antennas remain intact. Congestion combines with power cuts and physical damage. Backup batteries last only a few hours if power is not restored.
The electricity grid protects itself
Automatic systems isolate equipment to prevent fires and cascading failures. Crews must inspect lines, transformers and substations before reconnecting power, prioritising hospitals, water systems and emergency services.
Airports and roads under inspection
Flight suspensions and checks of bridges or slopes slow logistics but protect travellers and response teams. Treat a route as available only after official confirmation.
Watch the footage on YouTube
These Shorts document damage and search operations in the affected cities.