Why in news?
A strong earthquake near Delhi earlier in 2025 rekindled public discussion on how prepared India is to face seismic disasters. News reports on 17 July 2025 analysed the country’s vulnerability and preparedness.
Background
India sits at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Historic earthquakes like the 1905 Kangra disaster, the 2001 Bhuj quake and the 2015 Nepal quake underline the danger. About 59 percent of India’s land area falls in moderate to severe seismic zones, with major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati built on alluvial soils that amplify shaking.
Present vulnerabilities
- Dense populations and ageing buildings: Crowded cities with poorly designed structures and unauthorised additions increase risk of collapse.
- Outdated building codes: Many constructions do not follow seismic‑resistant standards and soft soil conditions amplify shaking.
- Limited early warning systems: India lacks real‑time public alerts for earthquakes, unlike Japan or Mexico.
- Enforcement gaps: Lack of trained engineers and weak municipal oversight hinder implementation of safety codes.
Government initiatives
- Legal framework: The Disaster Management Act 2005 established the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and mandated state and district level plans.
- Seismic monitoring: The number of observatories has risen from about 80 to more than 160 in recent years. A mobile app called BhooKamp provides tremor reports and safety tips.
- Building codes and retrofitting: Simplified Indian Standards codes are being drafted; guidelines for retrofitting old public buildings exist.
- Early warning experiments: The government has started pilots for an earthquake early‑warning system in the Himalayan belt.
Way forward
- Strictly enforce earthquake‑resistant building codes and penalise violations.
- Launch a national mission to retrofit schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure.
- Promote resilient urban planning with open spaces for evacuation and discourage construction on riverbanks and wetlands.
- Invest in early warning systems and public education campaigns to teach citizens how to respond during tremors.