India strengthens earthquake preparedness, early warning systems

New Delhi, Feb 13: India has expanded its earthquake preparedness measures, leveraging real-time seismic monitoring and risk assessment initiatives to enhance resilience in earthquake-prone regions.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

The National Seismological Network (NSN), operated by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), monitors seismic activity 24/7, disseminating real-time alerts via the Bhukamp App, social media, and official channels. Additionally, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed a seismic zoning map to guide precautionary measures.

To mitigate risks associated with rapid urbanisation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has launched the Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) project, aimed at integrating risk assessments into urban planning for safer infrastructure development. Public awareness campaigns, including TV and radio broadcasts like Aapda ka Samna, further educate communities on earthquake preparedness.

While Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems are still in the research phase, efforts are underway to develop an EEW system for the Himalayan region. The NCS can currently detect and record seismic activity across India with varying sensitivity based on regional risks.

Infrastructure resilience remains a challenge, with older structures often failing to comply with updated building codes. To address this, BIS, Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), and Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) have issued retrofitting guidelines for vulnerable structures, focusing on critical facilities such as hospitals and schools.

NDMA continues to develop and implement earthquake risk mitigation initiatives, including homeowner safety guides and seismic microzonation projects to enhance disaster resilience across the country.