India faces seismic vulnerability, with regions like the Himalayan belt, northeast, and Kutch being high-risk zones. Notable earthquakes include the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, causing widespread devastation, and the 2015 Nepal earthquake, impacting northern India. Preparedness measures are crucial to mitigate the impact of potential seismic events.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 3 Mains 2021
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Approach
- Start with a brief Introduction to the context of the disaster of the earthquake.
- Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards.
- Explain salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades with examples.
- Conclusion/way forward accordingly.
Answer
Introduction
- An earthquake is a natural disaster that occurs when the Earth’s crust experiences sudden and violent shaking due to the release of accumulated energy and resulting in the propagation of waves that spread in all directions. Earthquake hazards encompass various phenomena, including ground shaking, surface rupture, landslides, liquefaction, tectonic deformation, and tsunamis.
Body
The vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards: India is a country highly vulnerable to earthquake-related hazards due to its geographical location and tectonic activity. Here are key points highlighting India’s vulnerability to earthquakes:
- Location on Active Tectonic Plate Boundaries: India is situated at the boundary of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, where the collision and convergence of these plates occur. This tectonic activity results in significant seismic events and a high potential for major earthquakes.
- Seismic Zones: India is divided into multiple seismic zones based on the level of earthquake risk. These zones range from Zone 2 (low risk) to Zone 5 (high risk). States like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the northeastern region fall under higher risk zones and are particularly prone to earthquakes.
- Population Density: India is one of the most densely populated countries globally, with a significant portion of the population living in areas exposed to high seismic risk. This increases the potential for casualties, infrastructure damage, and the strain on emergency response and recovery efforts.
- Weak Infrastructure: In some regions of India, infrastructure, including buildings and critical facilities, is not built to withstand strong earthquakes. Poor construction practices, lack of adherence to building codes, and rapid urbanisation contribute to increased vulnerability and potential for damage during seismic events.
- Secondary Hazards: Earthquakes can trigger secondary hazards such as landslides, soil liquefaction, and tsunamis, particularly in coastal areas. These hazards amplify the impact of earthquakes and pose additional risks to affected regions.
Major disasters caused by earthquakes over the last three decades: Over the past three decades, India has experienced several major earthquakes that have caused significant devastation in different regions of the country. Here are some salient features of these major disasters:
- Latur Earthquake (1993):
- Location: Latur, Maharashtra
- Magnitude: 6.3
- Salient Features: Despite its relatively moderate magnitude, the earthquake caused extensive surface damage due to its shallow depth. The exact causes of the earthquake in this region are still debatable, as there are no prominent plate boundaries in the area.
- Chamoli Earthquake (1999):
- Location: Chamoli, Uttarakhand
- Magnitude: 6.8
- Salient Features: This earthquake was caused by a thrust fault, resulting in landslides, changes in surface water flow, surface rupture, and the formation of disconnected valleys. It had a significant impact on the region’s landscape and infrastructure.
- Bhuj Earthquake (2001):
- Location: Bhuj, Gujarat
- Magnitude: 7.7
- Salient Features: The Bhuj earthquake was associated with the reactivation of a previously unknown fault. It resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The earthquake exposed the vulnerability of poorly constructed buildings and the need for better disaster preparedness.
- Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004):
- Location: Coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Magnitude: 9.1-9.3
- Salient Features: The Indian Ocean Tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, created massive waves that struck the coastal areas of India. The tsunami caused widespread devastation, flooding, loss of life, and long-term changes in the affected regions.
- Kashmir Earthquake (2005):
- Location: Kashmir region, Jammu and Kashmir
- Magnitude: 7.6
- Salient Features: The earthquake was caused by a severe upthrust of the Indian plate against the Eurasian plate. It resulted in multiple aftershocks and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including buildings and communication networks.
Conclusion
- Hence, we can say that while India has made notable strides in earthquake safety, the journey towards complete preparedness continues. Establishing a system and culture focused on building safe houses in the 21st century is not only a possibility but an absolute necessity to safeguard lives and infrastructure from the devastating impacts of earthquakes.
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