Our Safety Depends on India’s Earthquake Readiness

Newsreel Asia Insight #35
Nov. 5, 2023

When the earth beneath India and Nepal trembled on the night of Nov. 3, it wasn’t just another natural occurrence but a stark reminder of the simmering geological tensions beneath our feet. The magnitude 6.4 earthquake with its epicenter nestled in Nepal’s Doti district is the latest in what seems to be an increasingly unstable chapter for the region. As residents, we must ask ourselves: are we ready for the “big one”?

Consider the persistent seismic activities in Nepal’s midsection, which Ajay Paul, a seasoned seismologist, views with deep concern, according to India Today. These are not isolated incidents but part of a series since early October, signalling the release of energy from within the earth’s crust, he says. It’s like nature is knocking on our door, and we should be paying attention.

The grim forecast by experts of a substantial Himalayan earthquake should not be taken lightly. Imagine the ground shaking with a force surpassing magnitude eight—such an event is plausible due to the relentless clash between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. It’s a heavyweight match with no referee, and the stakes are high.

India’s map is streaked with high-risk seismic zones, with over half the country’s terrain in the embrace of potential quakes. From Delhi, our capital, clasped in the worrying grasp of Zone-4, to the far reaches of Gujarat and Kashmir, the soil remembers the quakes of old and seems to be bracing for the next big jolt.

Imagine living on a giant puzzle, where pieces constantly shift, some nudging gently, others jolting violently. That’s life in India’s seismic hotspots. In Zone 4, the ground holds a grudge, lurking with the potential to unleash its fury without much warning. It’s a realm where the land, strained and stretched by unseen forces below, threatens to shake the very foundations of buildings.

Then there’s Zone 5, nature’s ultimate testing ground, stretching across the majestic Himalayas and spilling over to the lush landscapes of the North East and the vibrant expanses of Gujarat. Here, the earth’s might is on full display, where it doesn’t just shake— it convulses. It’s a zone that commands respect and caution, as it harbours the power to orchestrate tremors that can rewrite history.

The Richter scale categorises earthquakes by their intensity. Minor quakes, registering between 1-3, often go unnoticed and cause negligible damage. Moderate quakes range between 4-5 and can damage structures, especially if poorly built. Strong quakes fall between 6-7, leading to significant damage and potential aftershocks. A scale of 8-10 signifies a great earthquake, which is rare but catastrophic, resulting in widespread ruin and fatalities.

This Richter scale is logarithmic. Imagine the scale as a volume knob for earthquakes. Each step up on the scale doesn’t just turn up the volume a little; it cranks it up a lot—10 times more powerful, to be exact. And the energy? It doesn’t just go up a notch; it multiplies by over 30 times with each number. So, when an earthquake goes up by one full point on this scale, it’s like the difference between a fireworks show and a clap of thunder.

Seismic experts warn that centuries of pent-up tectonic stress could be looking for an escape, and our cities, our homes, could be in the path of this natural purge.

Eyes are turned to the National Centre for Seismology, India’s vigilant watchkeeper over the earth’s whispers. But the real quaking question is: are we listening?

We talk about resilience, about codes and standards that should be the shields against disaster. Yet, look around—the burgeoning skyline of Delhi’s suburbs tells a tale of apathy and neglect. High-rises stretch towards the sky, but do they have the backbone to withstand the earth’s wrath? Are our buildings and safety norms stand in tenuous truce, awaiting a test by tremor?

The recent quakes are nature’s way of clearing its throat, a prelude to a potential full-throated roar.

Preparedness stands as our sole ally, encompassing not only the National Disaster Relief Force but also the enforcement of stringent building codes, the thoughtful redesign of buildings, bridges and infrastructure, and the retrofitting of aged structures. It’s about buildings that won’t crumble, about services that won’t falter, about communities that won’t be left to pick up the pieces alone. It’s about not just surviving the next earthquake, but emerging with our spirit unshaken.

Individually, we have the option to assess our homes and workplaces for earthquake readiness.

So let’s ask again: When the earth shakes, will we stand resilient or fall in despair? The tremors might be the earth’s language, and it’s speaking to us, loud and clear. It’s time we listen and act with urgency, for the ground beneath us holds not just our past, but our future as well.