India should also take a lesson from the earthquake damage in Turkey and Syria

More than 20,000 people have been killed in Turkey and Syria due to a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on 6th February. Due to the geographical location of Turkey, earthquakes often occur here. In 1999, more than 18 thousand people died due to earthquake here. After witnessing the devastation caused by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, there has been a growing concern about the continuous earthquake tremors in different parts of India for some time now. Scientists of IIT Kanpur are also expressing the possibility of strong earthquake like Turkey in India. According to him, earthquakes of more than 7.5 magnitude may occur in some parts of India anytime in the next one or two years or in one or two decades. According to experts, about 59 percent of the country is at risk of earthquakes of various intensities. Earthquake tremors are being felt again and again especially in Delhi-NCR and neighboring states. Earthquake tremors of 3.2 magnitude were felt in Delhi-NCR on the night of 3 February. On the afternoon of January 24, strong tremors of earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale were felt in some states including Delhi-NCR. On the night of January 5, tremors of 5.9 magnitude earthquake were felt from Delhi-NCR to Jammu-Kashmir. Before that, the new year in Delhi NCR also started with tremors of 3.8 magnitude earthquake. In the month of November, there were two such major earthquakes in Delhi-NCR, one of which was of 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale, whose impact was felt in seven states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, as well as China and Nepal. .

Even after 2020, the area of ​​Delhi-NCR is constantly shaking with tremors due to earthquake. Although it is a matter of relief that there has been no major loss of life or property due to frequent earthquake tremors, but many mild and moderate earthquake tremors have occurred in North India including Delhi NCR. There is a possibility of a major earthquake in the Himalayan region. are increasing. In such a situation, if no concrete steps are taken soon, then the day is not far when the condition of Delhi-NCR will be similar to that of Turkey and Syria. Geologists believe that many small earthquakes are a sign of great devastation and in view of the frequent earthquake tremors, a major earthquake is being predicted in the Delhi-NCR region in the coming days. In the last few decades, the population of Delhi-NCR has increased a lot and in such a situation an earthquake of more than 6 magnitude can cause havoc here. Different parts of the country have been divided into a total of five zones regarding the danger of earthquake, in which the most dangerous is Seismic Zone 5 and then Seismic Zone 4. Delhi falls in Seismic Zone 4 and some areas in Delhi are in a more dangerous condition than Seismic Zone 4. In such a situation, the danger of earthquake always remains in Delhi.

According to NCS scientists, Delhi is at great risk from the Himalayan belt, where earthquakes of magnitude 8 are also likely to occur. If an earthquake of magnitude 7 or more occurs in the Himalayan region, about two hundred kilometers away from Delhi, then there is a big danger for Delhi. However, when such a severe earthquake will occur, scientists say that it is not possible to make an accurate estimate of it. In fact, there is neither any instrument nor any mechanism for forecasting earthquakes. According to experts, frequent tremors of earthquakes in Delhi show that the faults of Delhi-NCR are currently active and the intensity of major earthquakes in these faults can be up to 6.5. That’s why experts are saying that Delhi should make preparations to avoid damage by considering these frequent tremors of earthquakes as a sign of great danger. In view of the frequent tremors in Delhi and its surrounding areas, the Delhi High Court has also taken a tough stand several times. The High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Government, DDA, MCD, Delhi Cantonment Board, New Delhi Municipal Council some time ago asking what steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the people in case of a strong earthquake. Expressing concern, the court said that the government and other bodies are taking the tremors lightly as usual, while they need to show seriousness in this direction. The court said that there is a need to make a concrete plan to deal with disasters like earthquakes because earthquakes can kill lakhs of people. Commenting strongly on the reply filed by the Delhi government and the MCD, the court has gone to the extent of saying that the steps or proposals taken to keep the city safe from earthquakes are only on paper and it does not appear that the agencies have taken any action regarding the earthquake. comply with the order made earlier by the court. Delhi-NCR is very sensitive to earthquakes, which comes in the second most dangerous seismic zone-4.

In the last few months, most of the earthquakes in Delhi-NCR may have been of low intensity on the Richter scale, but earthquake researchers are considering these tremors as a sign of great danger. That is why most of the seismologists suggest that buildings in Delhi NCR should start preparing for earthquakes to minimize the damage in case of a major earthquake. According to a study, about 90 percent of the houses in Delhi are made of concrete and rebar, out of which 90 percent of the buildings are not capable of withstanding an earthquake of magnitude six on the Richter scale. According to the NCS study, about 30 per cent of Delhi falls in Zone-5, which is most vulnerable to earthquakes.

A report by the Ministry of Earth Sciences has also said that new buildings built in Delhi can withstand earthquakes of magnitude 6 to 6.6, while old buildings can withstand earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 5.5. Experts are also estimating the loss of life and property in Delhi due to a major earthquake because ten thousand people live per square kilometer in Delhi with a population of about 2.25 crore and a major earthquake shows an effect up to a range of 300-400 km. . However, the question here is that in view of the frequent earthquakes, what steps should be taken so that the pace of development is not affected and nature is also not harmed, so that in the coming times, cities like Delhi do not have to face terrible tragedies like Turkey and Syria. Don’t be forced

Yogesh Kumar Goyal

(The author is a senior journalist continuously active in journalism for 33 years)