Soon, policy that can save lives during earthquakes….Mayank Aggarwal
The 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Sikkim and West Bengal on Sunday which has claimed over 90 lives so far has highlighted the need for seismic retrofitting of buildings in the country. Lakhs of buildings in earthquake-prone zones are unsafe.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said it would come out with a national policy on seismic retrofication of buildings by the end of 2011. “We have set up a committee comprising IIT experts among others to prepare a national policy on seismic retrofication. No such guidelines exist at present,” NDMA vice-chairperson M Shashidhar Reddy told DNA. “The committee was formed in June and will prepare its report by the end of 2011.”
He said the implementation of the policy can save lives and prevent widespread destruction during earthquakes. “Simple changes in designs of buildings can save us from extensive damage. The Sikkim earthquake was a wake up call,” Reddy said.
He also expressed concern over open ground storey RC buildings where the ground floor is reserved for parking. “The construction of these buildings is not in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards codes for earthquake safety. Ahmedabad has 25,000 such buildings,” Reddy said.
Quake worst-hit still out of reach
India’s tardiness in responding to natural calamities was demonstrated again as National Disaster Response Force teams were yet to reach the worst quake affected areas in north Sikkim till reports last came in.
Even after 38 hours into the tragedy that devastated Sikkim, the NDRF was struggling to reach Mangan and arrangements were being made to airlift another team to Chungthan, the two regions in north Sikkim that bore the maximum damage.
“One team left for Mangan at 7.15 am (Tuesday). Arrangements are being made to airlift another NDRF team to Chungthan,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said at 1.15 pm.
Coming to terms with the increasing death toll that touched 92 53 in Sikkim alone and aware of the slackness in following standard operating procedures, the MHA deputed joint secretary (northeast) Shambhu Singh to Sikkim to coordinate the relief operations.
The army managed to airdrop two rescue teams of 30 personnel at Mangan and Chungthan on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, 281 army troops had reached Mangan and started rescue work.
“We have been able establish relief camps there. Efforts are on establish telephones lines in the area,” deputy director general of military operations Brigadier Ranbir Singh said in Delhi.
Using 13 choppers, the IAF rescued over 3,000 people from the quake-hit areas, while the army pressed over 5,500 personnel to carry out relief operation and set up 20 medical centers and 11 cook houses to provide food in the worst affected areas.