Context:

• A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Delhi recently, with its epicentre 20 km southwest of the city at a shallow depth of 5 km.
• While it caused no major damage, it exposed the vulnerability of Delhi’s infrastructure — over 80% of buildings, especially pre-2000 constructions, do not comply with seismic safety codes.
• This incident adds to a series of earthquakes across Asia since March 2025, including a severe 7.7 magnitude quake in Myanmar and Thailand, tremors in Tibet and Greece, and ongoing activity along the India-Myanmar border.
• Given India’s location on a highly active tectonic plate, this article highlights the urgent need to strengthen seismic resilience.

India’s Seismic Vulnerability and the Danger of Being Unprepared

• India faces a serious earthquake risk because its tectonic plate keeps moving northwards, colliding with the Eurasian Plate at a rate of 4–5 cm per year.
• This movement forms the Himalayas and makes the region prone to a major earthquake of magnitude 8 or more, which could affect over 300 million people across northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• Delhi’s Vulnerabilities
  • Delhi, located in Seismic Zone IV (high risk), is especially vulnerable.
  • The city’s ground acceleration factor is 0.24g, making it prone to strong tremors.
  • Many of Delhi’s buildings, including more than 5,000 high-rises, do not meet safety standards under the IS 1893:2016 Code, which requires earthquake-resistant features like ductile detailing and shear walls.
  • The July 2025 tremors in Delhi, though moderate, showed how unprepared the city’s 33.5 million residents are for a major earthquake.
• Risk Not Limited to Delhi
  • Seismic risk is not limited to Delhi. India’s seismic zones cover large areas, from Zone II to Zone V.
  • The northeast states — Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram — fall in Zone V, the highest-risk category with a peak ground acceleration of 0.36g or more.
  • These areas have recently felt the impact of earthquakes in nearby Myanmar, such as the 7.7 magnitude quake in March 2025 and a 5.2 magnitude quake in May 2025.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, also in Zone V, face both earthquake and tsunami threats, as seen during the 2004 tsunami.
  • Even Sikkim felt tremors from a 5.7 magnitude quake in Tibet on May 12, 2025.

Urban Growth Increases Earthquake Risks: Why India Must Act Now

• Delhi’s fast-paced urbanisation is making its earthquake risk even worse. Many older buildings in areas like East Delhi stand on weak, liquefaction-prone soil.
• Poorly designed high-rise buildings add to the danger during strong tremors.
• While the IndiaQuake app by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) can provide early warnings, public awareness and strict enforcement of building safety rules are still lacking.
• The Himalayan region, especially the gap between past major earthquakes like the Kangra quake in 1905 and the Nepal quake in 2015, is overdue for a big event.
• If it strikes, cities like Delhi could suffer massive damage.

Ways to Increase India’s Preparedness

• To prepare, India must strictly enforce seismic safety standards, especially in high-risk zones.
• In Delhi, retrofitting older buildings with steel jacketing and using deep pile foundations can help reduce collapse risk. In Guwahati, located in Zone V, strict following of the IS 1893:2016 code is necessary.
• Builders must avoid constructing on floodplains to prevent soil liquefaction, and critical buildings should use base isolation techniques. In Bhuj, more retrofitting and community disaster response teams are needed.
• The Delhi Development Authority should speed up safety checks on buildings.
• At the same time, the NCS should expand its early warning systems to cover villages in Zone V areas.
• Strong rules and community readiness can make India’s growing cities safer from future earthquakes.

Building Earthquake Resilience: Global lessons

• Global experiences highlight valuable lessons for India. Bangkok’s use of high-strength concrete and ductile detailing shows how strict building codes reduce earthquake damage.
• In contrast, Myanmar’s 2025 quake losses due to unreinforced masonry stress the danger of neglect.
• India faces higher seismic risks, especially in Zone V areas like the Northeast and Kutch, where local soil conditions require tailored solutions. Experts estimate India needs ₹50,000 crore annually for retrofitting vulnerable structures.

Conclusion

• With increasing seismic activity both regionally and globally, India must not delay action.
• The government should enforce building codes more strictly, invest in resilient infrastructure, and promote public education on earthquake safety.
• People need to know how to prepare emergency kits, follow safe building norms, and plan evacuations.
• A national dialogue is essential to push for urgent action before the next major quake.