Disasters can be averted if we prepare for them

Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface shift and release energy, causing the ground to shake. India is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world with 58.6 per cent of the landmass prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity. The big question: Is India prepared for a massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitude or more?

The catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria has been in the headlines for the last few weeks. Nearly 10,000 aftershocks have been reported by Turkey’s disaster management agency with a death count of more than 50,000 combined with Syria. What is more depressing is the fact that in the age of technological advancement and social media playing a crucial role, which was seen during the global pandemic, the Government of Turkey has blocked and restricted access to popular media platforms after the public criticized the slow official response, leaving the people unable to ask for help for local and nationwide aid campaigns.
A report published by the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation has put the cost of the earthquake in eastern Turkey at $84 billion, which is about 10 per cent of Turkey’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP); $10.4 billion from the loss of national income, $70.8 billion is from the damage of residential buildings, and $2.9 billion from the loss of working days.
The high death toll could have been avoided with swift action, only if the emergency response had been faster and better organised. According to Reuters, dozens of residents expressed bewilderment at the lack of food, water, medicines, and cranes to clear the rubble to continue search operations – left to fend for themselves in the depths of winter.

How safe is India?

India is divided into four seismic zones, depending on the level of earthquake intensity. Approximately, 11 per cent of the country falls in zone V, 18 per cent in zone IV, 30 per cent in Zone III and the rest in zone II. Seismically, zone V is the most active region that includes parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Bihar and the whole Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with the Northeast.
According to the World Risk Index 2022, India ranked seventh with a score of 42.31 out of 100 in terms of vulnerability ratings of earthquake-prone countries. The vulnerability score has been divided into three categories- social inequality and lack of development, insufficient political stability, health care and infrastructure, and lack of progress (in the field of education, research and disaster prevention.
Strange as it may sound, earthquakes do not kill; it is the buildings and infrastructures that do. Earthquakes are only a hazard that need not get converted into a disaster if buildings are safe and secure. The National Building Code (NBC) is a comprehensive set of guidelines that covers various aspects of building design and construction, including structural design, building materials, and construction techniques. It outlines the minimum standards for earthquake-resistant design and construction in India.
When compared to Japan’s earthquake in the densely populated Kobe city back in 1995, where the death toll was 6,400, about 20,000 lives were lost in Bhuj tragedy. The most plausible reason for the variance in the number of casualties is the faulty design of building structures in India and the underlying weaknesses in the laws governing them.
After every major earthquake, there are talks about making NBC more stringent. Steps were also taken after the Latur and Jabalpur earthquakes where the use of earthquake-resistant features in buildings was made mandatory. But so far, these rules have remained only on paper. Although there are policies in place now, the implementation and enforcement of these policies can be a challenge. Therefore, it is crucial for builders, architects, and engineers to be trained in earthquake-resistant building design and construction techniques to ensure the safety of occupants during earthquakes.

India’s Preparedness

India’s preparedness for a massive earthquake is a matter of concern. The country lacks adequate infrastructure, resources, and planning to tackle such a catastrophe.
Every year India has to deal with one or more natural disasters, be it floods or cyclones affecting thousands of people. This year’s budget allocation for disaster management nearly doubled from 198 cr in the last fiscal year to394 cr.
Although the scene of India’s preparedness is worrying, the Government of India has undertaken a few important measures to prevent and mitigate earthquake loss. In 2005, The Disaster Management Act of 2005 called for the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to lay down guidelines, and policies and draft national mitigation programmes; conducted a pilot study in 2019, through the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad and developed Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI) for 50 cities selected on the basis of their population density, housing threat factor, and cities identified by the Government of India as Smart Cities with the focus on the seismic zones IV and V active regions.
The National Building Code 2016 (NBC) might have stringent rules and regulations on constructing safer buildings, but there is no mechanism or legal provision for its implementation.
Another reason for the country’s dismal preparedness is the lack of any authorized agency to assess and advise the building owners and stakeholders whether their buildings in high-risk Seismic zones are earthquake-resistant or not.

Technology as the savior

When it comes to advanced technologies, Japan tends to grab attention with its innovative solutions to every problem. Situated in the Ring of Fire, Japan has been developing rescue robots to help relief efforts by navigating through the wreckage that may be too dangerous for rescuers to take part in it. These robots go deep into piles of rubble without any interference. These tube-like robots with miniature cameras attached to their front slither through any small gaps or openings like a snake. Japan also has RoboCue, a rescue robot that uses infrared cameras and ultrasonic technology to locate people trapped under debris. The Early Warning Systems can detect seismic waves and issue warnings before the arrival of the earthquake waves. The system, developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), uses a network of seismometers and communication technologies to provide alerts to the public.
India needs to invest and develop advanced technologies as disasters like earthquakes cannot be predicted yet. Staying prepared with innovative solutions, better seismic devices and proper urban planning can help mitigate such disasters.