India's Seismic Emergency

Parameter	Risk Level	Critical Areas
Tectonic Movement	4-5 cm/year (Indian Plate)	Himalayan arc (overdue for >M8 quake)
Delhi Vulnerability	Zone IV (PGA: 0.24g)	80% pre-2000 buildings non-compliant
High-Risk Zones	Zone V (PGA: ≥0.36g)	NE States, Andamans, Kutch, Sikkim
Recent Events	Delhi M4.4 (Jul 2025), Myanmar M7.7 (Mar 2025)	Highlights cascading regional threats

Why India is Unprepared

1. Urban Time Bombs:
   • Delhi: 5,000+ high-rises violate IS 1893:2016 (lack ductile detailing/shear walls)
   • Guwahati/Bhuj: Construction on liquefaction-prone soils (e.g., floodplains)
2. Governance Gaps:
   • Weak enforcement of building codes; no mandatory retrofitting
   • DDA yet to complete structural audits in Delhi
3. Systemic Neglect:
   • Himalayan Seismic Gap: Last major quake 2015 (Nepal); stress accumulating since 1905 Kangra quake
   • Northeast: Underprepared despite Zone V classification

Global Lessons for India

Case	Key Takeaway	India’s Application
Bangkok, Thailand	Strict high-strength concrete + ductile detailing	Enforce IS codes in Zone IV/V cities
Myanmar, 2025	Collapse of unreinforced masonry → mass casualties	Retrofit rural/urban masonry structures
Japan	Base isolation tech in critical infrastructure	Install in hospitals, power plants

4-Pillar Resilience Strategy

1. Governance & Enforcement

• Mandatory Audits: Fast-track building safety checks (prioritize pre-2000 structures)
• Land Use Zoning: Ban construction on liquefaction-prone soils (e.g., Delhi floodplains)
• Accountability: Penalize non-compliant builders under National Building Code

2. Retrofitting & Tech Interventions

• Steel Jacketing: For old buildings (cost: ₹1,500-2,000/sq ft)
• Base Isolation: For hospitals/govt buildings (reduces seismic force by 80%)
• Soil Stabilization: Using micro-piling in vulnerable zones

3. Early Warning & Response

• IndiaQuake App: Expand coverage + integrate with public sirens
• Community DRR Teams: Train 50,000 volunteers in Zone V districts (NE, coastal)
• Tsunami Ready: Andaman/Nicobar real-time seabed sensors

4. Financial Mechanism

• National Retrofitting Programme: Allocate ₹50,000 crore/year (0.2% of GDP)
• Risk Pooling: Earthquake insurance mandate for urban properties