Making India More Disaster-Resilient - Government’s Proactive Measures for Earthquake Safety

Context:

This document, released by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, on March 21, 2025, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, outlines India’s efforts to enhance earthquake resilience. With 59% of its land prone to earthquakes and 159 recorded between November 2024 and February 2025 (latest: 4.0 magnitude in Delhi, February 17, 2025), the government has prioritized disaster preparedness. Key initiatives include expanding seismic observatories, launching the BhooKamp app, and implementing the Earthquake Risk Indexing (EDRI) project, supported by agencies like NDMA, NDRF, and NCS, established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Crisp Notes:

Introduction

• Earthquake Vulnerability: 59% of India’s land is earthquake-prone, classified into four seismic zones (Zone V: most active, e.g., Himalayas; Zone II: least active) by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Recent Activity: 159 earthquakes from November 2024 to February 2025; latest 4.0 magnitude in Delhi (February 17, 2025).
• Historical Impact:
• • 1905 Kangra (8.0 magnitude): 19,800 deaths.
  • 2001 Bhuj (7.9 magnitude): 12,932 deaths, 890 villages devastated.

Government Initiatives for Earthquake Safety

1. Increase in Seismic Observatories
2. • Progress: From 80 (2014) to 168 (February 2025).
   • Purpose: Enhance monitoring of seismic activity nationwide.
2. BhooKamp App
3. • Launch: By National Centre for Seismology (NCS), Ministry of Earth Sciences.
   • Feature: Provides real-time earthquake updates to users.
3. Earthquake Risk Indexing (EDRI)
4. • Agency: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
   • Objective: Assess earthquake risks (hazard, vulnerability, exposure) in cities.
   • Scope: Phase I covered 50 cities; Phase II targets 16 more.
4. 10-Point Agenda (2016)
5. • Proposed by: PM Narendra Modi.
   • Goal: Disaster risk reduction, aligned with Vision Document 2047 for a resilient India.
5. Retrofitting of Buildings
6. • Focus: Enforce building code compliance in 59% earthquake-prone areas.
6. Himalayan Region Preparedness
7. • Measures: Early warning systems and disaster response framework.
7. Simplified Earthquake Safety Guidelines (2021)
8. • Purpose: Ensure infrastructure safety under Building Code of India.
8. Risk Transfer Mechanism
9. • Feature: Assesses earthquake damage and ensures infrastructure insurance.
9. Special Program - “Aapda Ka Samna”
10. • Aired: March 2025 on Doordarshan by NDMA.
    • Aim: Raise public awareness on earthquake preparedness.
10. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
11. • Example: Aid to Turkiye and Syria (February 2023) with NDRF teams, medical personnel, and supplies.

Key Government Agencies

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
2. • Established: Disaster Management Act, 2005; headed by the Prime Minister.
   • Role: Sets disaster management policies; oversees SDMAs (State DMAs, led by Chief Ministers).
2. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
3. • Formed: 2006 under Disaster Management Act; expanded from 8 to 16 battalions (1,149 personnel each).
   • Purpose: Specialized response to natural/man-made disasters.
3. National Centre for Seismology (NCS)
4. • History: Began in 1898 (Alipore observatory); now a national network.
   • Role: Monitors earthquakes, shares data, researches early warning systems.
4. National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
5. • Evolution: From NCDM (1995) to NIDM (2005).
   • Role: Training, skill-building, research, and policy promotion for disaster management.

Key Earthquake Safety Measures and Research

1. Guidelines for Earthquake Safety
2. • Home Owner’s Guide (2019): Standards for resilient homes.
   • Simplified Guidelines (2021): Tips for new constructions and flat buyers.
2. Earthquake Early Warning (EEW)
3. • Focus: Research in Himalayan region by NCS; public data sharing on recorded earthquakes.
3. Earthquake Risk Indexing (EDRI)
4. • Details: Evaluates risks to guide mitigation; ongoing expansion to more cities.

Conclusion

• Efforts: India enhances resilience through policies, technology (e.g., BhooKamp app, EEW), and infrastructure upgrades.
• Role of Agencies: NDMA, NDRF, NCS, and NIDM lead preparedness and response.
• Public Role: Awareness and adherence to safety tips critical for minimizing damage and saving lives.