Why is Delhi Earthquake Prone? [UPSC Current Affairs]

The Delhi government plans to establish an Emergency Operations Centre in Shalimar Bagh to coordinate relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster or calamity. In this article, we will explore what makes Delhi prone to earthquakes, and what measures should be taken to mitigate the effects of a possible calamity in the capital of the country. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam disaster management and geography segments.

Why Delhi is Prone to Earthquakes?

• Seismic zone: Delhi falls in Zone-IV of the Seismic Map, which means that it is a high-risk seismic zone prone to earthquakes. This makes Delhi vulnerable to earthquakes and increases the risk of damage to buildings and infrastructure.
• Unsafe buildings: Many buildings in Delhi do not comply with building rules and bylaws, making them inherently weak and prone to damage. This puts the lives of residents at risk and can lead to extensive damage to property during an earthquake.
• Narrow approaches: The approaches in unauthorised colonies in Delhi are narrow, making the movement of vehicles and people almost impossible in case of any disaster. This can cause delays in rescue and relief efforts and exacerbate the impact of an earthquake.
• High vulnerability: The combination of the above factors makes the residents of Delhi extremely vulnerable in the event of an earthquake. The risk of loss of life and damage to property is high, and effective measures are needed to mitigate this risk and enhance the city’s resilience to earthquakes.

Steps to Make Delhi Earthquake Resilient

• Emergency Operations Centre: An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is being set up in Northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh to coordinate relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster or calamity. This will help in mitigating the impact of any such incident in Delhi.
• Mitigation Measures: The Chief Secretary has also mooted the possibility of a similar centre for the mitigation of fire-related incidents occurring in the Shahjahanabad Walled City area at Vikas Bhawan-II in Civil Lines. This will enhance the city’s capacity to respond to disasters and mitigate their impact.
• Building Survey: Efforts are being made to conduct a survey of buildings in Delhi to identify those that are unsafe and do not comply with building rules and bylaws. Effective action will be taken to address these issues and make the buildings earthquake-resistant.
• Training: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will train 1,800 volunteers in basic relief skills and rescue measures so they can support communities during disaster situations. These volunteers will be provided with an emergency response kit and insurance cover for any bodily injury or death claim.
• Procurement of Equipment: Equipment for all 11 districts in Delhi, in consultation with NDRF, for effective and early response related to incidents of building collapse, uprooting of trees, and other disasters is being procured.
• Satellite Phones: The DDMA has procured 53 satellite phones through BSNL in consultation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). These phones are expected to be vital in any disaster-like situation that may trigger a communications failure.
  
• Enhancing Awareness and Preparedness:
  • Aapda Mitra Scheme: The DDMA will take a leaf out of its national counterpart with regard to its ‘Aapda Mitra’ scheme. The scheme will enhance the awareness and preparedness of the public to respond to disasters.
  • Highlighting Unpredictability: The Chief Secretary has sought to highlight the unpredictable nature of disasters, citing his experience of the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat and the disastrous earthquake in Turkey. This will enhance the awareness of the public and the authorities about the importance of preparedness in the event of an earthquake.

Conclusion: The efforts of the Delhi government to establish an Emergency Operations Centre and train volunteers for disaster relief in response to the earthquake risk in the city align with the Sendai Framework’s goal to reduce disaster risk and achieve sustainable development. The initiative also highlights the importance of incorporating disaster risk reduction measures into urban planning and development, as called for by the SDGs.

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