| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Explain some issues related to Indian policy on earthquake. Also write some Measures to improve the preparedness for earthquakes. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
Nearly 58% of the Indian landmass is vulnerable to earthquakes. According to the seismic zoning map of India prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India has been divided into four zones – II, III, IV and V. Geologists have warned of a probable massive earthquake in the Himalayan state.
Contents
- India’s policy on earthquake preparedness operates primarily at the scale of structural details. It is guided by the National Building Codes.
- This includes specifying dimensions of columns, beams and details of the reinforcements that join these elements together.
- It ignores the buildings that were constructed before such codes were published in 1962. Such buildings form a large part of our cities.
- It assumes infallibility in the processes of enforcement. It relies only on penalisation and illegalities.
- It treats earthquakes as a problem of individual buildings. It assumes that buildings exist and behave in complete isolation from their urban context.
Measures to improve the preparedness for earthquakes:
- There is a need to create a system oftax-based incentives for retrofitting existing structures and enforcing seismic codes with more efficiency. This will generate a body of well-trained professionals and competent organisations.
- Japanis a good example in this case. It has invested heavily in technological measures to mitigate the damage from the frequent earthquakes that it experiences.
- Skyscrapers are built with counterweights and other high-tech provisionsto minimise the impact of tremors.
- Small houses are built on flexible foundationsand public infrastructure is integrated with automated triggers that cut power, gas, and water lines during earthquakes.
- The policy should start with surveys and auditsthat can generate earthquake vulnerability maps.
- Using such maps, enforcement, incentives, and response centres can be proportionally distributed across the urban terrain.
- A policy on earthquake preparedness will require avisionary, radical and transformative approach.
India’s vulnerability to various earthquake hazards requires smart handling and long-term planning.
