India is a country with a complex geological landscape, and it is prone to earthquakes. It is situated on the highly seismic Indian plate with some major fault lines. Earthquakes in India have not been as frequent as in Turkey, but they have caused significant damage and loss of life.
The last major earthquake in India was in 2001 in the Bhuj region of Gujarat, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale and claimed over 20,000 lives. The Latur earthquake in 1993 was another major quake that claimed over 10,000 lives. The North East region of India is also prone to earthquakes, with the most recent one being the Sikkim earthquake in 2011. The earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale and claimed 111 lives.
India’s Seismicity
The Indian plate is one of the 12 major plates that make up the surface of the earth. It is surrounded by the Himalayan range to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The plate boundary has become very active and is gradually moving, pushing against the Eurasian plate by 4 to 5 cm every year. This movement causes stress to build up in the region, which can result in a major earthquake.
The Himalayan region in India is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on a major fault line. The region is known as the “Seismic Gap” and is considered to be an area where a major earthquake could occur at any time.
A recent report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India states that there are no seismically safe zones in the country. The report also highlights that the country needs to take measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on the population and infrastructure.
The NDMA has identified several regions in India that are at high risk of earthquakes. These include the Himalayan region, the Northeastern states, the Kachchh region in Gujarat, the western and central parts of the country, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Earthquake Prediction
Earthquake prediction is a subject of much debate among scientists. While it is known that earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, it is not yet possible to predict when and where an earthquake will occur. Scientists can only calculate the probability of a significant earthquake occurring in a specific area within a certain number of years.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there is no scientific evidence to support earthquake prediction by non-scientists, astrologers, and others. Earthquakes have nothing to do with clouds, bodily aches and pains, or slugs. Instead, they result from a scientific process and cannot be reliably predicted by non-scientists.
However, there have been instances where people have claimed to predict earthquakes based on certain precursors. For example, before the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China, there were reports of unusual animal behavior and small earthquakes. Many people chose to sleep outside, and they were saved when the main earthquake hit, causing widespread destruction.
Unfortunately, such precursors are not always followed by a major earthquake, and most earthquakes have no precursors whatsoever. The Tangshan earthquake was an exception, and thousands of people died in other earthquakes that had no precursors.
Impact of Earthquakes in India
The impact of earthquakes in India can be devastating, especially in areas where buildings and infrastructure are not built to withstand the forces of an earthquake. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake, for example, caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in the region, resulting in a loss of over 20,000 lives.
The NDMA report highlights that India needs to take measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on the population and infrastructure. This includes ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are designed and constructed to withstand earthquakes, as well as establishing early warning systems and emergency response plans.
There have been some efforts towards earthquake preparedness in India, including the implementation of building codes that incorporate seismic safety measures, such as the Bureau of Indian Standards code IS:1893, which was revised in 2016.
However, the implementation and enforcement of these building codes remain a challenge, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas.
Additionally, the establishment of an effective early warning system and emergency response plan requires significant investment and coordination across different government agencies and stakeholders.
The NDMA report suggests that a comprehensive approach to earthquake preparedness is necessary, which includes not only infrastructure improvements and early warning systems but also public education and awareness campaigns to ensure that the population is informed and prepared for earthquakes.
One successful example of a public awareness campaign is the ShakeOut initiative, which was launched in the United States in 2008 and has since spread to other countries, including New Zealand and Japan.
The ShakeOut initiative encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to practice earthquake drills and to take steps to prepare for earthquakes in advance, such as securing furniture and other objects that could cause injury or damage in an earthquake.
In India, there have been some efforts towards public education and awareness, such as the National Disaster Management Authority’s School Safety Programme, which aims to educate students and teachers about disaster preparedness and response.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the Indian population is informed and prepared for earthquakes, particularly in rural areas where awareness and resources may be limited.
Overall, the string of earthquakes in Turkey and India serve as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and the need for continued investment in infrastructure, early warning systems, and public education campaigns.
While earthquakes cannot be predicted with certainty, taking steps to mitigate their impact can save lives and prevent damage to infrastructure and the economy. It is important for governments, organizations, and individuals to work together to ensure that India and other earthquake-prone regions are prepared for the next big quake.
The Chenab Times News Desk