Delhi-NCR Earthquakes And The Panic Around It; Here’s What Seismology Centre Says

Nearly a dozen low-intensity earthquakes have rocked the Delhi-NCR region in the last three months.

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New Delhi: With nearly 14 earthquakes in 2 months, jolting the Delhi NCR regions, there have been apprehensions if it is a prelude to a big temblor, but experts say there is nothing unusual in this seismic activity. In a recent report by PTI, the Director of the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) B K Bansal said,"There is no need to panic due to the recent earthquakes in Delhi-NCR but it is vital to undertake preparedness and take precautionary measures." Speaking at a meeting convened by the National Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday, Bansal said given the seismic history of Delhi, minor earthquakes in Delhi-NCR are not unusual, according to a Home Ministry statement. There is no need to panic but it is important to undertake preparedness and mitigation measures to reduce the risks, he said, adding there is no proven technology in the world to predict earthquakes with certainty in terms of location, time, and magnitude. According to experts, the Delhi-NCR region is very peculiar with regard to seismic activities. It has several faultlines that generate earthquakes, but it also feels the impact of quakes that are epicentral as far as the Hindukush mountains in Afghanistan and even in Nepal. The NDMA has requested the state governments to take steps that included ensuring compliance of building bye-laws to make upcoming construction earthquake resilient and avoid the addition of vulnerable building stock. It suggested them to identify the vulnerable structures, especially lifeline buildings, and retrofit them. Private buildings should also be retrofitted in a phased manner. The NDMA advised the state governments to conduct regular mock exercises and come out with SoPs for immediate response after an earthquake. The NCS requested the states to undertake public awareness programmes regarding ‘dos and don’ts’ during an earthquake to ensure the safety of the people. All the recent 14 quakes recorded in the Delhi-NCR region were of low to medium intensity - April 12 - Delhi (3.5); April 13-Delhi (2.7); April 16 - Delhi (2); May 3 - Delhi (3); May 6 - Faridabad (2.3), May 10 - Delhi (3.4); May 15 - Delhi (2.2), May 28 - Faridabad (2.5); May 29 - Rohtak (4.5 and 2.9); June 1 - Rohtak (1.8 and 3) and June 3 - Faridabad (3.2); June 8-Haryana (2.1) Also watch|Doctors hailed as 'corona warriors' but are they being paid? | Ghanti Bajao