NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / 59% areas in India vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes
    India

    59% areas in India vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes

    59% areas in India vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes
    Written by Ramya Patelkhana
    Sep 22, 2016, 08:00 am 3 min read
    59% areas in India vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes
    Credits

    Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Venkaiah Naidu released a seismic zone map developed by the National Disaster Management Authority and the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council. The map revealed nearly 59% areas in India are vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes; 95% households are vulnerable to different earthquake degrees. People can access the map on their phones within the next three months.

    What are seismic zones?

    Regions where the rate of seismic activity - type, frequency, and size of earthquakes over a period - remains consistent are divided into seismic zones. The Geological Survey of India released the first seismic zoning maps in 1935; several modifications have been made later. Zone-I is a very low-intensity zone and the most secure one; no area in India is currently classed as Zone-I.

    Four seismic zones in India

    There are four seismic zones depending on the earthquake vulnerability. Zone-II is a low-intensity zone; earthquakes in this region are of magnitude 6 or less on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Zone-III and Zone-IV are moderate and severe intensity zones with magnitude 7 and 8 respectively. Zone-V is a very high-intensity zone with high damage risk and a magnitude of 9 or more.

    Earthquake Hazard Zoning Maps

    According to an official statement, the report - 'Earthquake Hazard Zoning Maps' comprises color-coded maps. These maps contain tehsil level details and also convey the locations of different areas in five different earthquake intensity zones.

    Probability of an earthquake

    The seismic zoning maps show the probability of an earthquake occurring in an area. Such maps had been developed in the past; the current maps were developed incorporating locations at the district and block levels for the first time. Additional features like data on population and housing, railway lines, highways, expressways, rivers, water bodies, fault lines, etc. are also included in these maps.

    Maps useful to the public

    The maps would be helpful to the people in knowing how quake-prone their areas are. Venkiah Naidu stated, "These maps would be of significant help to architects, engineers, land use planners, insurance agencies and those involved in disaster mitigation, emergency planning, and management."

    Digitization of the seismic zone maps

    BMPTC developed the maps with the help of data available with the Geological Survey of India, Survey of India, Meteorological Department and Census of India at the behest of NDMA. Union Minister Venkiah Naidu appreciated the efforts of BMPTC and requested NDMA and BMPTC to ensure digitization of the maps at the earliest. He suggested a mobile application be developed based on these maps.

    Indian metros at risk as well

    No Indian metropolis has witnessed a serious earthquake, although as early as April 2016, reports indicated that Delhi was in the high-risk seismic zone 4, while Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata were in zone 3.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    India
    Venkaiah Naidu
    National Disaster Management Authority
    India Meteorological Department (IMD)

    India

    India records 425 COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths in 24 hours COVID-19
    Weather news: Monsoon likely to be normal, predicts IMD India Meteorological Department (IMD)
    US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to visit India next week Lloyd Austin
    COVID-19: India registers 490 new cases, 2 deaths COVID-19

    Venkaiah Naidu

    It's Dhankhar vs Alva in vice presidential election today National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
    #NewsBytesExplainer: The significance and powers of vice president of India National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
    #NewsBytesExplainer: How does India elect its vice president? Election Commission of India (ECI)
    Election to elect next Vice President on August 6: ECI Elections

    National Disaster Management Authority

    Joshimath: Authorities to demolish 2 hotels, mark 200 houses unsafe National Disaster Response Force
    MP: Villagers returns home after alternate channel prevents dam collapse Madhya Pradesh
    Assam floods: 4 more deaths take toll to 18 Assam
    TN: 4 workers trapped in stone quarry, rescue operation underway Tamil Nadu

    India Meteorological Department (IMD)

    Brace for another spell of rain, thunderstorm in northwest India Monsoon
    Delhi-NCR wakes up to heavy rain, more downpours likely  Delhi
    No heatwave in Delhi until May 30, predicts IMD Delhi
    Bengaluru: Rains, thunderstorms to continue; doctors issue infection warning Bengaluru

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023