Take up 'microzonation' of cities in high seismic zones: Parliamentary panel

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of the Nepal earthquake, a Parliamentary panel has emphasised taking up 'microzonation' of major cities in the country falling in high seismic zone without delay to mitigate the consequences of a potential temblor.

Microzonation usually means mapping of areas according to their susceptibility to damage in the event of an earthquake.

The panel, in its report tabled in Parliament last week, recommended initiating "purposive measures" in this regard in consultation with the state governments and stakeholders.

The recommendation of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology came as it took note of the "importance of microzonation of cities on account of vulnerability of India's land to severe earthquakes".

The recommendation also assumes significance in light of the large-scale casualty witnessed in the Nepal quake, with close to 8,000 people losing life so far.

The committee in particular laid emphasis on taking up expeditiously microzonation of cities falling in seismic zone V, IV and III.

"Necessary geophysical, geological and other information should be acquired from Geological Survey of India so that delay in microzonation of cities is avoided," it said.

Under microzonation, a region is subdivided into zones with respect to some geological and geophysical characteristics of the sites such as ground shaking, landslide and rock fall hazard so that seismic hazards at different locations within the area can correctly be identified.