J&K has compelling reasons for earthquake-resilient construction

1024 576 Adeela Hameed

The Turkey-Syria earthquakes demonstrated the effectiveness of seismic protection technologies and engineering techniques that can be employed to manage the reaction of structures to earthquakes. The earthquakes put to the test advanced building technologies that can minimize damage and keep buildings functioning after a quake. Several hospitals built with one such technology – called a seismic isolation system – survived the earthquakes with almost no harm, according to local news reports, even while surrounding buildings sustained heavy damage.

Also, shortly after the Turkey-Syria earthquake, a video displaying Japanese methods of addressing such disasters began circulating on social media. It showed how engineers and architects in Japan developed different techniques to deal with earthquakes because their country is geographically vulnerable. The two primary techniques implemented were seismic isolation and base isolation. Seismic isolation is a technique of introducing a set of bearings and a sliding system under a building to reduce its response to the motion of the ground during a quake. The isolation of the base is a design strategy to avoid seismic shocks, which reduces the effects of earthquakes by separating the superstructural structure from the ground.

Vulnerability of Jammu and Kashmir to earthquakes

As tectonics is actively shaping the geomorphology and climate of Jammu and Kashmir, the occurrence of earthquakes is likely unavoidable. Research and knowledge about the causes of earthquakes have informed us that it is important to put more emphasis on preparedness rather than prediction. Field evidence from various research has suggested an urgent need for comprehensive planning to educate, engage, and train residents as well as students about the science of earthquakes. Vulnerability to hazards is unavoidable unless and until a robust framework is planned for the Union Territory as a whole.

People of J&K tend to consider earthquake hazards of secondary importance as such, people were clueless and unprepared to cope with the 2005 earthquake that struck the northern parts of Kashmir valley. As expected, the response was haphazard and rehabilitation unplanned, without much consideration for sustainability. This lead to an increase in vulnerability rather than reducing it. And with the recent one in 2023, a near-disaster 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the population was yet again unprepared to deal with it. Since then, a number of small-magnitude earthquakes have jolted the Union Territory, much to the concern of the residents. As frightening as it may seem, now is the time to think ahead and plan new structures keeping in mind the safety of all concerned.

Structural safety and earthquake-resilient designs

The recent tremors have given flame to the long-forgotten concept of constructing disaster-resilient structures in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. Raj Suhail, a structural engineer, and researcher in the field of civil-structural engineering shared concerns about earthquake safety in Kashmir’s residential and commercial spaces. “Jammu and Kashmir is placed on highly mobile tectonic plates, i.e. the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, thus structural safety is always going to be a worry in our region. My research suggests that residential houses in Kashmir are relatively safe but are getting uneconomical and massive, mass-wise, day by day. Earthquake doesn’t like mass. The more massive the structures, the more earthquake forces will it attract. So, new constructions might be at risk.”

Dr. Suhail is an alumnus of NIT Srinagar with educational qualifications from multiple prestigious institutes, including the University of Surrey, UK (MS), Trinity College Dublin, and Queen’s University Belfast, UK (Ph.D.). “The issue is not the two-story houses but the upcoming commercial buildings, all of which are tall and massive. It has come to my notice that some of them have even skipped the fundamental requirement of earthquake-resilient design – such as the provision of bracing and shear walls. If your building is more than four stories tall and there is no shear wall or bracing system, get a structural engineer, I mean a qualified structural engineer, not a self-proclaimed structural engineer, to inspect it, without delay.”

Recommendations

There is a need for a paradigm shift to address disaster management from a relief centric to a multidimensional, preparedness-oriented approach. As the probability of earthquake occurrences in Kashmir valley is very high, the authorities need to revise guidelines and strategies to include the prevention of colossal damage at the onset of disaster (mitigation) rather than over-emphasizing rehabilitation of the affected after it strikes.

  • Safety audit of buildings, in terms of, resilience to the impending hazards and requirement of retrofitting of critical infrastructure.
  • Strictly adhere to existing and state-of-the-art building codes and the constitution of teams for review and enforcement of these codes.
  • Introduction of disaster management as a subject at school, college, and university levels, and conducting mass awareness programs at block, district, and state levels.
  • Requirement of research about hazards to educate local people. This can be done by organizing workshops, and training sessions, introducing course modules, conducting international conferences, and public talks, together with spreading awareness about adopting an earthquake-resilient construction model.
  • Alignment of the building codes in accordance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, Sendai Framework, and state plan.
  • More geological and geotechnical investigations are to be carried out to document the active, near-source seismogenic structure which would help in formulating safer design decisions.
  • Community contingency strategies are to be prepared by people themselves by identifying their vulnerabilities and preparing action plans to equip themselves for future disasters. E.g. Caritas India initiated SHIRKAT, an Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction program with the support of the Catholic Social Service Society (CSSS) to reduce the risk of disaster and increase the community’s capacity through engaging and training them on different aspects of the disaster. The last few years have enabled people to build robust community institutions in the form of Task Forces and SHGs and Farmers’ Clubs. These institutions have been instrumental in mobilizing the marginalized populace with their knowledge and experience and gaining visibility locally.

Earthquakes are endemic to the valley, as has been researched and experienced time and again. Better preparedness for disasters can ensure our relative safety. An efficient disaster management and mitigation plan can be only developed through the participation of all stakeholders.

Although natural calamities cannot be prevented completely, proper strategies and mitigation measures would substantially decrease the level of hazard and damage. So, when disaster strikes, those who have emergency plans and practice them routinely will be in a better position to ride out the event and help their people.

Precautions to follow in the event of an earthquake

Staying calm is the first step.

  • Remember: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. When an earthquake starts, grab your emergency preparedness kit. 
  • Get down on the ground, preferably under a table or desk. 
  • Never stand under objects that can fall on top of you like a large bookcase.
  • Keep clear of windows as glass may shatter from the shaking.
  • If you are outside, move away from buildings that can collapse. Stay in an open area. Prefer the parts with no buildings, trees, or power lines.
  • If you are at work, school, or any shopping area, don’t take the elevator. Take the stairs.
  • If you are home, don’t go outside. Stay off the roads. If in bed, cover your head and neck with pillows.
  • If you are driving, pull over to a large open area, not under trees or power lines. Set the parking brake. Stay in the vehicle.

References

Adeela Hameed

Adeela Hameed is a writer and Fellow – Himalayan Journalists Collective Against Climate Change. She has worked with organisations like The Global Times, Scribblers, and Kashmir Leader. She is a guest contributor for the wildlife magazine, Saevus, and ecotech website, Green Clean Guide. Adeela is a member of the writer’s community, WissenMonk, and the Editor of their monthly magazine – Wisdom Quest. She works for environmental conservation and social sustainability.

Author

Adeela Hameed

Adeela Hameed is a writer and Fellow – Himalayan Journalists Collective Against Climate Change. She has worked with organisations like The Global Times, Scribblers, and Kashmir Leader. She is a guest contributor for the wildlife magazine, Saevus, and ecotech website, Green Clean Guide. Adeela is a member of the writer’s community, WissenMonk, and the Editor of their monthly magazine – Wisdom Quest. She works for environmental conservation and social sustainability.

More work by: Adeela Hameed

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