The Hindu Editorial Analysis
17 July 2025
A tectonic shift in thinking to build seismic resilience
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS 1: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes
Context
With earthquake activity increasing across India and the globe, the Government of India must take the lead in a national dialogue to ensure strict enforcement of seismic safety codes.
Introduction
The tremors felt in Delhi on July 10, 2025, at 9:04 a.m., measuring 4.4 on the Richter Scale — as per the National Center for Seismology (NCS) — are a wake-up call highlighting India’s seismic vulnerability. The epicentre, about 20 km southwest of Delhi at a shallow depth of 5 km, may not have caused major damage, but it revealed the fragility of Delhi’s infrastructure, where over 80% of buildings, especially those built before 2000, do not meet seismic safety norms.
- The July 2025 earthquake in Delhi was part of a series of seismic events across Asia since March 2025.
- These include the devastating 7.7 magnitude quake in Myanmar and Thailand.
- Additional tremors were recorded in Tibet and Greece, along with recurring seismic activity near the India-Myanmar border.
- As India sits on a highly tectonic zone, the urgency to enhance seismic resilience has become critical.
The danger of unpreparedness
| Aspect | Details |
| Tectonic Cause | India’s seismic risk arises from the northward movement of the Indian Plate, colliding with the Eurasian Plate at 4–5 cm per year, forming the Himalayas. |
| Great Himalayan Earthquake Threat | The region is overdue for a magnitude 8+ earthquake, which could affect over 300 million peopleacross northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan. |
| Delhi’s Seismic Risk | Located in Seismic Zone IV (high risk) with a PGA of 0.24g, Delhi is close to a major tectonic boundary and is home to 33.5 million people and over 5,000 high-rises, many non-compliant with seismic codes. |
| Code Non-Compliance | Many structures do not follow the IS 1893:2016 Code (by Bureau of Indian Standards) that requires ductile detailing and shear walls for earthquake resistance. |
| Historical Earthquakes | – Bhuj (2001): 7.7 magnitude, 20,000+ deaths – Nepal (2015): 7.8 magnitude, widespread devastation |
| Seismic Zones in India | Ranges from Zone II to Zone V. Zone V includes the northeast (e.g., Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. |
| Recent Quakes in Zone V Regions | – Mandalay, Myanmar (Mar 28, 2025): 7.7 magnitude – Myanmar Border (May 17, 2025): 5.2 magnitude |
| Tsunami Risk | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in Zone V, remain at high tsunami risk due to subduction zone activity, as seen in the 2004 tsunami. |
| Himalayan Seismic Activity | Tibetan quake (May 12, 2025): 5.7 magnitude, caused tremors in Sikkim, underscoring Himalayan unrest. |
| Global Quake Indicators | Greece (May 22, 2025): 6.2 magnitude quake shows global tectonic instability, though direct impact on India is minimal. |
Greater danger with urbanisation
- Delhi’s rapid urbanisation exacerbates the risk it faces. Older structures in East Delhi’s Risk: Built on liquefaction-prone soil, with many poorly designed high-rises, East Delhi is highly vulnerable to intense seismic shaking.
- Early Warning but Low Awareness: The IndiaQuake app by National Center for Seismology (NCS) provides real-time alerts, but public awareness and code enforcement are still inadequate.
- Lessons from Abroad:
- In Bangkok, updated seismic codes (since 2007) limited damage, despite a flat-slab collapse in 2025.
- In Myanmar, the 2025 quake toll worsened due to poor code enforcement.
- Global Seismic Activity: Earthquakes in Greece, Indonesia, Chile-Argentina, and Ecuador (May 3, 2025), though distant, show a globally dynamic seismic phase, underlining the need for Indian preparedness.
- Himalayan Seismic Gap: Stress continues to build since the 1905 Kangra quake and 2015 Gorkha (Nepal) quake, pointing to a potentially devastating Himalayan event, with Delhi at high risk.
- Urgency for Code Enforcement: India must strictly implement seismic codes, especially in high-risk cities and retrofit vulnerable structures.
- Delhi Action Steps:
- Retrofitting older buildings with steel jacketing
- Mandating deep pile foundations in seismic zones
- Accelerating compliance checks by the Delhi Development Authority
- Guwahati (Zone V) Measures:
- Enforce IS 1893:2016 Code
- Avoid construction on the Brahmaputra floodplain
- Use base isolation techniques for critical structures
- Bhuj Preparedness: Expand retrofitting efforts and build community disaster response teams.
- Strengthening Early Warning: NCS should extend early warning systems to rural areas in Zone V, improving safety beyond major cities.
Global lessons
- Concrete & Ductile Detailing: Use of 30–40 MPa concrete with ductile detailing serves as a model for earthquake resilience, though it is suited to lower seismic zones (0.1g–0.2g) — unlike India’s Zone V which faces much higher seismic forces.
- Warning from Myanmar: The severe damage caused by unreinforced masonry in Myanmar’s 2025 quake is a cautionary tale for India to avoid similar neglect.
- Tailored Retrofitting Needed:
- The Northeast’s soft soils and Kutch’s sandy basins demand custom seismic strategies.
- Experts estimate India needs ₹50,000 crore annually for nationwide retrofitting efforts.
- No Room for Delay: With increasing seismic activity in India and across the globe, the country cannot afford further delay in earthquake preparedness.
- Government Leadership Required: The Government of India must take charge with:
- Strict enforcement of seismic codes
- Mass public awareness campaigns
- Investment in resilient infrastructure
- Citizen Responsibility: Every citizen should:
- Learn about emergency preparedness kits
- Follow safe building practices
- Be aware of evacuation plans and drills
Conclusion
The Bhuj earthquake stands as a stark reminder of how lack of preparedness can magnify the scale of disaster and loss. It continues to serve as a haunting lesson for India, where frequent tremors highlight the urgent need to build seismic resilience. This is not just a technical necessity but also a moral responsibility to safeguard lives and livelihoods. In light of these ongoing threats, a national dialogue must be initiated to drive proactive action before another major quake occurs. The recent tremor in Delhi reinforces this urgency, calling for a decisive shift from vulnerability to strength through enforcement, awareness, and robust infrastructure.