GS Question

India is highly vulnerable to earthquake-related hazards due to its geographical location. It is situated on the highly tectonically active boundary between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. This makes India prone to seismic activities and makes it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The Indian plate is colliding with the Eurasian plate, leading to the buildup of stress and frequent release of energy in the form of earthquakes.

Some salient features of major earthquake disasters in different parts of India during the last three decades are:

1. Bihar Earthquake (1988): The Bihar earthquake, also known as the Nepal-Bihar earthquake, occurred on August 21, 1988. It had a magnitude of 6.6 and its epicenter was in the Nepal-India border region. The earthquake caused significant damage in both Nepal and Bihar, with an estimated death toll of 1,500-2,000 people.

2. Uttarkashi Earthquake (1991): The Uttarkashi earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.8, struck the state of Uttarakhand on October 20, 1991. The earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and roads in the affected region. The death toll was around 800, with many more injured.

3. Latur Earthquake (1993): The Latur earthquake, also known as the Killari earthquake, occurred on September 30, 1993, in the state of Maharashtra. With a magnitude of 6.4, the earthquake caused widespread destruction, particularly in the town of Killari. The death toll from this disaster was estimated to be around 10,000 people.

4. Bhuj Earthquake (2001): The Bhuj earthquake, also known as the Gujarat earthquake, struck the state of Gujarat on January 26, 2001. It had a magnitude of 7.7 and caused massive devastation, especially in the district of Kutch. The death toll from this earthquake was over 20,000, and hundreds of thousands of people were injured. The destruction of infrastructure and buildings was significant, with estimated economic losses of around $6.9 billion.

5. Sikkim Earthquake (2011): The Sikkim earthquake occurred on September 18, 2011. With a magnitude of 6.9, it struck the northeastern region of India, affecting Sikkim, West Bengal, and neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. The earthquake resulted in the collapse of buildings, landslides, and disruption of transportation networks. The death toll was around 115, and several hundred people were injured.

These examples highlight the vulnerability of India to earthquake-related hazards. The impacts of these disasters include loss of life, damage to infrastructure, disruption of essential services, and economic losses. Efforts are being made to improve earthquake preparedness, early warning systems, and building codes to minimize the vulnerability of India to future earthquakes.