20 Crore Indian Buildings at Risk: Understanding Seismic Zones IV and V – Insights from NDMA

New Delhi: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is focusing on making buildings in India safer from earthquakes. They are highlighting the need to retrofit nearly 20 crore buildings that are in high-risk seismic Zones IV and V.

Retrofit means updating buildings to enhance their safety and performance, especially those built 30-40 years ago, often without proper building codes. “Many of these structures need urgent retrofitting to reduce earthquake risks,” said NDMA member Krishna S. Vatsa.

Seismic Zones IV and V are areas where earthquakes are a real threat. Zone V includes regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand, Kutch, northern Bihar, the northeastern states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Zone IV encompasses other areas, including parts of Delhi, Sikkim, Haryana, and Gujarat.

During a recent meeting in New Delhi, experts, policymakers, and researchers discussed ways to minimize earthquake risks. Professor P.S.N. Rao from the School of Planning and Architecture pointed out that Delhi is also at risk, with over 1,760 unauthorized colonies. Many buildings in these areas lack any earthquake resistance.

Rao emphasized the importance of adhering to the National Building Codes (NBC). These codes provide essential guidelines for safe construction practices across India. They cover building safety, materials, fire safety standards, sustainability, and much more.

Given changes in construction practices, including taller buildings and new materials, the NBC underwent a major revision in 2016, resulting in updated guidelines to ensure safety and modern standards.

Rajendra Ratnoo, from the National Institute of Disaster Management, stressed the need to protect critical infrastructure. “We should visually screen and retrofit these important facilities,” he said. He also called for a nationwide awareness of disaster risk management resources like the India Disaster Resource Network.

Ratnoo mentioned the necessity of an early warning system to tackle disasters effectively, with plans to engage state stakeholders in the upcoming year to boost disaster awareness.

It’s vital to note that about 59% of India lies within seismic Zones III, IV, and V. Rajendra Singh from the NDMA highlighted several criteria for a disaster-resilient India. “As we build new infrastructure, we must ensure it can withstand earthquakes. We need to collaborate to find innovative solutions for disaster resilience,” he said at a recent workshop focused on earthquake risk reduction.

Singh also stressed that creating an earthquake early warning system and enforcing building codes are paramount. Strengthening existing laws, retrofitting infrastructure, building expertise in earthquake engineering, and enhancing community awareness are crucial steps to protect lives.