UPSC Mains Answer: Discuss about the vulnerability Of India to earthquake-related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (Answer in 150 words)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Sub-category: Disaster Management (Geography)

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{'Introduction': "India's vulnerability to earthquake-related hazards stems from its location along the active seismic zones of the Indian plate boundary. The country falls under four seismic zones (II to V), with the Himalayan region being particularly prone due to tectonic collisions.", 'Body': 'Over the last three decades, India has witnessed devastating earthquakes. The 1993 Latur earthquake (6.2 magnitude) in Maharashtra, a Zone III region, caused 10,000+ fatalities due to poor construction practices. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake (7.7 magnitude) in Gujarat, a Zone V area, resulted in 20,000 deaths and extensive infrastructure damage, highlighting the vulnerability of intraplate regions. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (7.6 magnitude) in the Himalayan belt led to 80,000+ deaths, emphasizing the high seismic risk in Zone V. These disasters underscore the need for stringent building codes, retrofitting, and public awareness.

Conclusion

Mitigating earthquake risks requires a multi-pronged approach, including improved urban planning, early warning systems, and community preparedness to reduce future vulnerabilities.