Howsoever frivolous it may sound but reports from Pakistan suggest that the officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) panicked following a prediction by an Indian on the basis of his extra-sensory perception or sixth sense.

A man, identified as Babu Kalayil, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that he has got extra-sensory perception that a massive earthquake will strike the Indian Ocean by December 31 this year that would set off a powerful tsunami in the region.

Babu Kalayil claimed in the letter to have received the "observation" on August 20 this year through his sixth sense. The letter was written on the official letter head of BK Research Association for ESP. Babu Kalayil's name appears as the director of the Kerala-based group. The letter was shot off to PM Modi on September 20.

This letter failed to get any attention in India, but Pakistan seems to have lost sleep over the prediction. But, the letter started doing rounds on social media. Babu Kalayil predicted that 11 countries in the Asiatic region including India, Pakistan and China will be badly impacted by tsunami.

Letter to PM Modi by Babu Kalayil that set off alarm bells in Pakistan. Letter to PM Modi by Babu Kalayil that set off alarm bells in Pakistan.

According to a BBC Urdu report, the officials in Pakistan have taken the prediction of Babu Kalayil seriously and began preparations to deal with a possible disaster.

A letter, issued by the ERRA of Pakistan, is being circulated on social media directing the officials and departments to "immediately" follow the standard operating procedures on the matter.

The letter, apparently, written by the deputy chairman of the ERRA - that works under the PMO of Pakistan - refers to an alert issued by the DG, ISI warning about a "large scale earthquake, as being expected".

The DG, ISI sent the letter to the ERRA on October 12 while the ERRA official issued directions on November 1. "The SOPs will be put up to ERRA's acting deputy chairman by Monday, November 6, 2017," reads the deputy chairman's letter.

It says, "An Information Report has been received from DG, Inter-Services Intelligence that there is, reportedly, likelihood of large scale earthquake, as being expected, in the Indian Ocean in near future which may vigorously shake the Asian continental areas, including Pakistan. There is, therefore, a need to sensitise concern departments to be on vigil and take care of any natural disaster. (sic)"

ERRA issues letter with directions about SOPs. ERRA issues letter with directions about SOPs.

The scientists have been trying to have a technology in place to predict earthquakes and tsunamis. Earthquakes are considered one of the biggest killers because they cannot be predicted with available technology. Japanese and Americans have invested millions of dollars towards this end.