Devastation due to series of earthquakes continues to unfold in Turkey and Syria, four days after massive jolts hit the neighboring countries. While around 20000 people have been killed, the number of deaths has now surpassed the toll in a 2011 earthquake off Japan that triggered a tsunami, killing more than 18,400 people.
The devastation in Turkey and Syria is a reminder to other parts of the globe which are prone to the earthquakes like Jammu and Kashmir. According to the officials, the seismicity in this region is mainly attributed to the Main Himalayan Thrust along which Indian plate under thrusts beneath the Himalayan wedge.
As per the seismic zoning map of India prepared by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the country has been divided into four zones viz. zone V, IV, III and II
Out of these zones, Zone V exhibits the highest seismic risk and zone II has the least.
All districts of Kashmir valley and Doda district fall in Seismic Zone-V, and the rest of the districts fall in Seismic Zone-IV.
As per experts raising buildings and settlements on unconsolidated materials, moraines, and narrow valleys in the tectonically active zones should be discouraged throughout the hilly regions in the Himalayas including J&K as these are unsuitable for the purpose
Given the high vulnerability, 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 jolt leads to more panic.
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 view of the recent developments, there is need for regular awareness campaigns to sensitize people on prevention and preparedness for building safety from earthquakes.
Concerned authorities are poised to follow guidelines by the Bureau of Indian Standards, Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) etc. for design and construction of earthquake risk resistant structures to minimize the loss of life and damage to property caused by earthquakes. While these guidelines are in wide circulation amongst the administrative authorities responsible for the design and construction of earthquake resistant structures in earthquake prone areas, there is need to ensure adherence and the government should take periodic reviews.
