India’s approach towards earthquakes needs a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive seismic resilience. Discuss. (15M)

India lies in a seismically active region due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Over 59% of Indian land is vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes, as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The recent 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Delhi (2025) also highlighted the urgency of seismic resilience.

Earthquake Vulnerability of India:

1. Tectonic Instability:
   1. The Indian Plate’s subduction beneath the Eurasian Plate causes frequent and intense seismic activity.
   1. The Himalayan belt is highly vulnerable, with potential earthquakes exceeding magnitude 8.0.
2. Seismic Zones:
   1. India is divided into four seismic zones (II to V), with Zone V being the most dangerous (e.g., Northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
   1. Zone IV includes Delhi, making it highly susceptible to structural damage.
3. Historical Seismic Events:
   1. Major past earthquakes: Shillong (1897 – M8.7), Kangra (1905 – M8.0), Bhuj (2001), Nepal (2015), and Mandalay (2025 – M7.7).
4. Urban Fragility:
   1. Delhi has over 5,000 high-rises, many of which do not comply with seismic codes (BIS 1893:2016).
   1. High population density (33.5 million in NCR) amplifies risk, especially in liquefaction-prone areas like East Delhi.

Challenges in Earthquake Preparedness:

1. Unplanned Urbanisation:
   1. Rapid construction without seismic consideration increases vulnerability, especially in mega-cities.
2. Weak Enforcement of Building Codes:
   1. Poor compliance with BIS codes; in Delhi, over 80% of buildings reportedly violate safety norms.
3. Lack of Public Awareness:
   1. Despite tools like the IndiaQuake app, community-level preparedness remains low.
4. Inadequate Retrofitting:
   1. Old buildings remain structurally weak due to high cost and lack of incentives.
5. Resource Constraints:
   1. Limited funding and capacity for seismic retrofitting and disaster response in many states.
6. Tourism in Seismic Zones:
   1. Increasing tourism in vulnerable Himalayan areas aggravates risks.

Steps Taken by the Government:

1. National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP):
   1. Focuses on seismic zones IV and V; includes techno-legal frameworks, public awareness, and capacity building.
2. Building Codes and Standards:
   1. Guidelines issued by BIS (e.g., IS 1893, IS 4326) for earthquake-resistant construction.
3. NDMA Awareness Campaigns:
   1. Annual awareness drives through print, electronic, and social media.

Proactive seismic resilience needed:

1. Structural and Technological Measures:
2. Retrofitting of old and unsafe buildings using steel jacketing and FRP wrapping.
3. Mandatory use of deep-pile foundations in high-risk seismic zones.
4. Banning construction on floodplains and liquefaction-prone soils.
5. Expansion of early warning systems and seismic observatories to rural areas.
6. Use of GPS and AI to monitor tectonic movements and issue timely alerts.
7. Policy and Institutional Measures:
8. Strict enforcement of BIS building codes with penalties for non-compliance.
9. Integration of earthquake resilience in Smart Cities and AMRUT mission.
10. Regular audits of urban planning permissions in high-risk areas.
11. Adoption of risk-informed land use policies.
12. Community Empowerment and Awareness:
13. Public drills and earthquake education in schools, offices, and public institutions.
14. Promotion of low-cost earthquake-resistant housing in rural areas.
15. Community-based preparedness measures like emergency kits and evacuation plans.
16. Sensitisation campaigns on safety during and after earthquakes.

Conclusion:

A shift from reactive disaster relief to proactive seismic resilience is the need of the hour.Long-term, sustained efforts in planning, regulation, and public participation can prevent the “next big one” from becoming a national catastrophe.

‘+1’ value addition:

• Global practices:
• Japan: Integrated early warning systems, strict building codes, and community drills.
• Bangkok (2025): Damage from recent quake was minimised due to strengthened seismic code.
• California: Comprehensive zoning laws and subsidies for retrofitting existing structures.
• Seismic Micro-zonation: Mapping of urban areas with over 5 lakh population to guide safer construction practices.
• National Centre for Seismology (NCS): Operates 115 seismic observatories; disseminates real-time quake data via the IndiaQuake app.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-tectonic-shift-in-thinking-to-build-seismic-resilience/article69820061.ece

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