The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Review vulnerability maps'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 08, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Review vulnerability maps'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 7. With Delhi experiencing frequent tremors in the past two weeks, experts have called for a quick review of the vulnerability maps of the city as a probably earthquake ranging between 5 and 6 on the Richter scale can prove extremely devastating in the present status of preparedness in the Capital. And underground urban facilities such has shopping malls remain the most vulnerable in the event of a major quake.

Warning that there are loopholes in both the physical structures and human awareness with regard to earthquake-related information, the Convenor of the Disaster Studies Research Group of Delhi School of Economics, R.B. Singh, said a number of dos and don'ts need to be followed to minimise the impact of any natural disaster.

Stating that physical structures such as houses, old bridges and heritage monuments need to be reviewed he said while it is difficult and expensive to build new structures in old buildings, he said it is important to incorporate safety measures by incorporating pillar support in the present buildings as also installing fire safety measures and suitable protection fittings around expensive items in these structures.

As Delhi lies in the high-risk Seismic Zone IV, Dr. Singh has also called for strict implementation of earthquake-resistant building codes for construction of new houses and buildings. Stating that clearance certificates should only be issued to buildings which are safe from any kind of disaster, he said special care in this regard should be taken while constructing schools and hospitals.

Further, as flood plains and reclaimed waterlogged areas are geologically weak areas, Dr. Singh has warned against constructing high-rising built-up structures on them. In this regard, he has stated that in Trans-Yamuna areas land suitability evaluation should be done before construction of high-rise buildings or housing complexes is allowed. And preferably, he said, these areas should be utilised for construction parks, stadiums, picnic spots or single-storied structures.

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