Being Earthquake Ready in India

Dear Sir, Greetings and Respects. Hope you are fine. I took many steps to bring awareness regarding awaiting earthquake in Nepal well before the quake among public and Govt officials. I request you to kindly read below about my past efforts and kindly help in the endeavor towards earthquake safety in India. This earthquake was very much expected and not a surprise to genuine earthquake scientists. After deeply analyzing the earthquake data of India and adjoining areas from 250 BC to 2010 AD using various probabilistic models, our studies at IISc has clearly shown that Himalayan region especially (Nepal Bihar border, Kashmir, North East India) and Andaman are highly hazardous for next 50 years. This has been published in reputed journals and I raised my concerns at various platforms. Even I took extreme step to reject my PhD degree from IISc to bring awareness among policymakers and public, in 2013. http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-assistant-prof-asks-iisc-to-not-grant-him-a-phd-1918468 On 6th Jan 2014, at Institute of Seismological research (This was the time I met you at your office at IIMA), main focus of my presentation in a Symposium on Earthquake, was to prepare ourselves for awaiting mega earthquake in Nepal Bihar border region. On 15th January 2014, I wrote to National Disaster management Authority, Govt of India (attached) inquiring what measures NDMA is taking to prepare ourselves to face awaiting earthquake in Himalayan region. Seeking special attention on this I gave a humble suggestion as well. (the email is attached). A little vigilance and preparedness before the quake can reduce the havoc at the time of quake and many lives can be saved. It is high time we focus on Kashmir, North East and Andaman for awaiting quakes in near future. It is buildings that kill people not quakes as such. If we cant repair the entire infrastructure, atleast schools, hospitals etc should be retrofitted. Nepal faced problems of accessibility and lack of shelters to camp. Some strong shelters (multipurpose halls or indoor stadiums which can be used for other functions during safe periods) should be built on urgent basis in hazardous areas to provide shelter for people when a disaster happens. Also small villages can have open playgrounds which can be used for dual purpose. Earthquakes have created lot of loss in our country in the past. Myself and Prof Sitharam at IISc are working on measure to be taken for earthquake safety and to minimize the loss and havoc during disaster. Hope with a strong Govt at centre required measures will be taken especially for Himalayan region where it is very vulnerable for earthquakes and some investment can save lot of life and property. This needs special attention from Govt and a push from all of us is very essential in this regard. Kindly extend your blessings and support. I will be in touch with further updates. Thanks and regards Sincerely Dr Sreevalsa 1. http://deccanchronicle.com/150427/nation-current-affairs/article/iisc-researcher-predicted-nepal-earthquake-2012 2. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/474027/nepal-earthquake-tragedy-waiting-happen.html

The 13 points mentioned in “Being Earthquake Ready in India” have all been expressed by non-experts. In India every person you meet, whether he/she is a shop keeper, director, ticket checker, auto-rickshaw driver or whatever is a you meet is a doctor, engineer, aviation expert, lawyer, cook and whatever you wish him to be. As a result it is fashionable that every person must have an opinion on each and every subject matter. Earthquake Safety is a special subject in itself and it is well known that Japan is most Earthquake prone country in the world and mush damage and loss of life doesn't ever take place despite entire Japan being shaky almost all the time. Therefore, it is best to learn from Japan. Being a Buddhist Country, Japanese have a natural affinity with India although India being a Brahmin dominated country whose God Shops (Temples) are perceived to be under danger the moment a Buddhist sets his/her foot on Indian soil. Obviously a Brahmin would never advice any contact with Japan, but the fact is that irrespective of their religion Japanese can provide India a lot about how to be Earthquake Safe. My earnest request to Govt. of India is that we should seek help from Japan to be really safe.

WE need a data base for more knowledge for the people of the country.

In the present day situations when the urbanization is in its high people of our nation should discourage from migrating to cities.For this governments must try to provide more descent job availability through out the nation rather than concentrate on cities. Also government must make mandatory that each high rise building have enough open space near it in which the occupants can stay safely during earthquake.

i agreewith Visweswaran Ganapathy