Last week, J&K and Ladakh witnessed earthquakes that have left people perplexed as they were only felt in specific areas. First, it was a big jolt felt in Srinagar followed by a quake in Gulmarg and subsequently one in Ladakh. The one in J&K’s summer capital left people stunned. It was more like a bang that shook the houses briefly. It left many people wondered if it was even the earthquake. Director Metrological Department ruled it immediately but was later confirmed to be one measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale having epicenter in the Srinagar by the international agencies. Be that as it may, the Srinagar quake was followed by two more tremors, felt in specific areas, only heightened the suspicions. Nevertheless, it also highlighted the need for preparedness on part of the government beforehand rather than managing its aftermath.
In the last three years, the Indian subcontinent suffered 768 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 and above as were located by the National Seismological Network from 2017 to January 31, 2020.
According to a response to a question in the Rajya Sabha last month, 226 earthquakes were in 2017, 203 in 2018, and 309 earthquakes in 2019. Earthquakes of magnitude 4 and above nearly doubled from 78 in 2018 to 159 in 2019, the response revealed.
All districts of Kashmir valley and erstwhile Doda district fall in Seismic Zone-V, considered to be the most seismically active, and the rest of the districts fall in Seismic Zone-IV.
The time of occurrence of a big earthquake cannot be predicted accurately with existing technology. Thus there is no ordinary escape for the region from susceptibility to earthquakes. However the foreknowledge of potential danger areas can help mitigate the impact of a disaster. Keeping in view the preparations of the J&K, any shook leads to more panic.
In 2005 a big quake of 7.6 on the Richter scale led to the loss of around 80,000 lives with Pakistan Administered Kashmir being the worst affected. On this side of the J&K, the quake caused devastation along with the frontier villages particularly Uri and Kupwara district. If anything, the recent quakes should be a warning about a possible repetition of the natural disaster in the region.
There is a need to accept earthquakes as a reality and do everything to redefine development plans, especially in terms of building quake-resistant buildings. There ought to be a systematic resort to disaster drills to educate the public on what to do during an earthquake. Preparedness remains the key to such disasters.
In the last three years, the Indian subcontinent suffered 768 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 and above as were located by the National Seismological Network from 2017 to January 31, 2020.
According to a response to a question in the Rajya Sabha last month, 226 earthquakes were in 2017, 203 in 2018, and 309 earthquakes in 2019. Earthquakes of magnitude 4 and above nearly doubled from 78 in 2018 to 159 in 2019, the response revealed.
All districts of Kashmir valley and erstwhile Doda district fall in Seismic Zone-V, considered to be the most seismically active, and the rest of the districts fall in Seismic Zone-IV.
The time of occurrence of a big earthquake cannot be predicted accurately with existing technology. Thus there is no ordinary escape for the region from susceptibility to earthquakes. However the foreknowledge of potential danger areas can help mitigate the impact of a disaster. Keeping in view the preparations of the J&K, any shook leads to more panic.
In 2005 a big quake of 7.6 on the Richter scale led to the loss of around 80,000 lives with Pakistan Administered Kashmir being the worst affected. On this side of the J&K, the quake caused devastation along with the frontier villages particularly Uri and Kupwara district. If anything, the recent quakes should be a warning about a possible repetition of the natural disaster in the region.
There is a need to accept earthquakes as a reality and do everything to redefine development plans, especially in terms of building quake-resistant buildings. There ought to be a systematic resort to disaster drills to educate the public on what to do during an earthquake. Preparedness remains the key to such disasters.
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