Poor structures & apathy heighten damage potential from unavoidable quake in Uttarakhand

PARITOSH KIMOTHI/Dehradun

With the entire Himalayan region recently being placed under zone VI- highest risk- in the new seismic zonation map, experts have raised concern about the lack of enforcement of building regulations and general apathy in Uttarakhand. The State where the Ganga and Yamuna originate and where the Char Dham are located, is on a development spree but the enforcement to ensure construction guidelines meant to mitigate damage from disasters like earthquakes is questionable. This at a time when the region cannot ignore the possibility of a great earthquake as it has not witnessed such tectonic activity for about 700 years, experts said.

According to the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology director Vineet Kumar Gahalaut, the Himalayan regions of Garhwal and Kumaon are long overdue for a great earthquake-measuring eight or above on the Richter scale- as there has been no significant release of tectonic strain since 1344, which too was less than eight on the Richter scale. The Garhwal and Kumaon region is the only sector in the Himalaya which has not had a great earthquake in about 700 years.

Talking to The Pioneer, he said that poor structures kill people, not earthquakes, while expressing concern about the lack of enforcement of rules in construction activities. He said, “We have building codes and guidelines but these are not being enforced effectively. Technically there may not be any problem even with multi-storeyed buildings only if the guidelines are followed and safeguards are in place.”  Regarding early warning systems, he said though such a system had been installed in the State, a 10-15 second warning for Dehradun and 30-40 seconds for Delhi will not have the intended results if awareness  is lacking and other components of preparedness are not in place. On a positive note Gahalaut said that the National Disaster Management Authority has become more proactive and has directed all the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) regarding the responsibility framework with the SDMAs directed to focus on monitoring and mapping.

The former executive director of the Uttarakhand SDMA, Piyoosh Rautela said that construction rules should be adopted like social norms as these are in the interests of the people. Strict enforcement of the rules doesn’t appear feasible considering the resources available with the district development authorities, that too when many constructions take place in areas outside their purview. In case of a major quake, urban areas with more population and infrastructure like Dehradun, Haridwar, Kashipur and Haldwani will suffer more damage that mountainous regions, he said. On being asked about a research which stated that rescue and relief teams may not be able to reach the Paltan Bazaar area in Dehradun for some days after a major quake due to the debris, he said the situation could be similar in old and densely populated areas of the provisional State capital like DL Road and Khurbura, among others. He stressed on the need for choosing between convenience and safety in passing building layouts and raising public awareness to bring about behavioural change to prepare better for an earthquake.