The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : City too in `danger' zone

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

City too in `danger' zone

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, OCT.15. Vijayawada has been identified along with 37 other cities in the country, which fall under Zone III of the seismically vulnerable region, according to the findings of the Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Project (UEVRP) of the United National Development Programme.

Besides Vijayawada, the south-eastern districts of Chittoor, Cuddapah and Nellore have been listed for their vulnerability to the quakes, according to a report tabled at the workshop .

Geological evidence

Quoting geological evidence, the report stated that earthquakes in the peninsular India were likely in the future and Vijayawada lied in a "moderate damage risk zone." "The population was concentrated in the area of earthquake hazard. The building and lifelines have low earthquake resistance and the city doesn't have an earthquake preparedness and response plan," the report said.

Addressing the workshop, the senior scientist of the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), RK.Chadha, said that though the magnitude of the quakes often witnessed in Japan was on a par with that of the one recorded at Bhuj in 200, there was a huge difference in the extent of casualties and damages witnessed at the two places .

While only five to six people died in Japan, in the case of Bhuj an estimated 20,000 people lost their lives, he pointed out. This was because the buildings constructed in Japan were quake-resistant. "Earthquakes are not dangerous by themselves. But much depends on the preventive measures we take to minimise the casualties," he remarked.

The UEVRP project director, Anup Karanth, underlined the need for creating awareness among Government functionaries, technical institutions, NGOs and the general public about quake vulnerability and mitigation measures.

Representatives of various Government organisations. NGOs and Siddhartha Engineering College participated in the workshop and exchanged views on the subject.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Task forces to quell quake fears

`Help' at hand against flesh trade

City too in `danger' zone

Beauty tip for city - go green

Traders, workers settle Gollapudi issue

Thousands visit Kanakadurga temple

Around the City

In Vijayawada Today