Risk assessment: How quake-ready is Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida

Despite falling into a seismically active zone, NCR has done little to ensure that it plans or builds colonies that are quake-resistant. A look at logistics and risks:

Despite falling into a seismically active zone, NCR has done little to ensure that it plans or builds colonies that are quake-resistant. A look at logistics and risks:

Seismic zones

DELHI

3,400 - Total number of high-rises (buildings above four storeys)

24 - Number of epicentres that may have magnitude 6 earthquakes

Areas Under Seismic Zone 4

Yamuna floodplains, Commonwealth Games Village, Dwarka, Mayur Vihar phase- I, II and III, Patparganj, Seemapuri, Shahdara, Seelampur, Welcome, Dilshad Garden, Okhla and Chattarpur basin

Steps taken by administrations after Nepal earthquake

Two evacuation drills per month were planned for office and commercial buildings

Disaster management will see community involvement

Unauthorised colonies will be regularly inspected to check cracks and other safety concerns in buildings

GURGAON

1,100 - Total number of high-rises (buildings above four storeys)

Areas Under Seismic Zone 4

Entire city falls under the seismic zone 4 FAULTLINES Apart from the Jaipur depression, many normal faults pass through Gurgaon. The major tectonic features in Gurgaon district include Sohna Fault, Moradabad Fault, Delhi-Moradabad Fault, Delhi-Haridwar Fault, junction of Aravalli and Alluvium near Delhi

Steps taken by administrations after nepal earthquake

100 civil engineers trained to identify weak buildings

Mapping 100 buildings by Google Trackr

Mock drills in association with National Disaster Management Authority

NOIDA

1,200 - Total number of high-rises (buildings above four storeys)

Areas Under Seismic Zone 4

Entire Gautam Budh Nagar district reclaimed from Yamuna flood plains falls into seismic zone-IV category.

Steps taken by administrations after nepal earthquake

500 volunteers in Noida and 300 in G Noida identified to help

Land given in G Noida for National Institute for Disaster Management

High-tech facility to be installed in high-rises to alert authorities

Mock drills in association with NDMA

DOS AND DON’TS

IF INDOOR

Drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture

Stay under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.

Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall

Stay in bed if you are there, hold on and protect your head with a pillow

IF OUTDOOR

Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires

If you are in open space, stay there until the shaking stops

If in a moving vehicle stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle

IF TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS

Do not light a match

Do not move about or kick up dust

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you; shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust

Source : NDMA