Source: The post Delhi’s Earthquake Alert Highlights India’s Seismic Vulnerability has been created, based on the article “A tectonic shift in thinking to build seismic resilience” published in “The Hindu” on 17 th July 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-disaster and disaster management
Context: The 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Delhi on July 10, 2025, revealed the city’s poor preparedness despite lying in a high-risk seismic zone. As tremors continue across Asia, the event urges India to reassess its seismic resilience, especially in densely populated and rapidly urbanising regions.
India’s Seismic Fragility and Tectonic Risks
- High-Risk Zones and Tectonic Activity: India lies on a tectonically active plate, colliding with the Eurasian Plate at 4–5 cm/year. This motion fuels the rise of the Himalayas and increases the chances of a massive quake, especially in Seismic Zone IV and V areas such as Delhi, the Northeast, and Andaman-Nicobar.
- Capital Under Threat: Delhi’s 33.5 million people face substantial risk, especially due to 5,000+ high-rises that ignore seismic norms like IS 1893:2016. The July quake, though minor, shows how the city remains exposed to a much larger threat.
- Pan-India Vulnerabilities: Beyond Delhi, places like Guwahati and Bhuj lie in very high-risk zones. Events like the Mandalay quake (7.7 magnitude) and the Tibetan quake (5.7 magnitude) further reveal seismic unrest along India’s periphery.
Urbanisation and Structural Negligence
- Outdated Construction Practices: Over 80% of Delhi’s buildings—especially those pre-dating 2000—don’t meet modern seismic codes. East Delhi’s liquefaction-prone soils worsen vulnerability, while new high-rises often skip essential safety features.
- Limited Awareness and Enforcement: Although IndiaQuake app offers real-time alerts, enforcement of safety codes is weak. Myanmar’s 2025 quake showed how neglect can amplify devastation, while Bangkok’s enforced codes helped limit damage.
- Global Pattern of Tremors: Quakes from Indonesia to Ecuador indicate a restless tectonic environment. Though distant events like Greece’s quake have limited local impact, they underscore the planet’s rising seismicity.
Urgent Need for Policy and Technical Action
- Code Compliance and Retrofitting: Delhi requires steel jacketing for old buildings, deep pile foundations in fragile zones, and mandatory code enforcement. Guwahati must avoid floodplain constructions, while Bhuj needs community disaster preparedness units.
- Early Warnings and Rural Coverage: The National Center for Seismology must widen real-time alert systems, especially in rural high-risk areas. Delhi Development Authority should intensify compliance audits.
- Budgetary and Planning Needs: Experts estimate ₹50,000 crore annually for seismic retrofitting, particularly in Northeast soft-soil zones and Kutch’s sandy regions. This includes critical infrastructure upgrades and base isolation techniques.
Question for practice;
Examine the factors that contribute to India’s seismic vulnerability and suggest measures to enhance earthquake resilience in urban and high-risk zones.
