As the land sinking phenomenon continues to expand in Ramban district, posing a threat of displacement to thousands of residents, concerns over seismic risks loom large in Jammu and Kashmir.
With approximately 60 lakh people residing in high-risk seismic Zone V, recent continued earthquakes in Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts have only heightened worries among geologists and residents alike.
As the region grapples with the dual challenges of land sinking and seismic risks, proactive measures and concerted efforts are imperative to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir. Failure to address these issues could have far-reaching consequences, underscoring the critical importance of proactive action to mitigate disaster risks and build resilient communities.
The increasing frequency of earthquakes in these regions has underscored the vulnerability of densely populated areas, particularly the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Rapid, unplanned construction of commercial buildings and houses has exacerbated the risk, leading experts to sound the alarm on potential catastrophic consequences.
Few years back a government report has shed light on the gravity of the situation, revealing that most parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar, fall under Seismic Zone V. Alarmingly, around 50% of the regions population resides in these areas, heightening concerns over the potential impact of seismic activity.
The convergence of factors such as rapid urbanization, population concentration, and geological vulnerabilities underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. Government agencies, local authorities, and residents must work collaboratively to prioritize safety measures, including the enforcement of building codes, land-use planning, and public awareness campaigns.
Bhaderwah quake on May 1, 2013 was a major quake having epicentre within the territorial limits of J&K. As per the term, a locked fault means equal resistance exerted by two faults.
- History of Earthquakes in J&K
Earthquake of 1555 AD: Estimated to have killed 60,000 people in Kashmir during the Mughal rule. - June 6, 1828: Widespread destruction and death of 1,000 people in Srinagar.
- May 30, 1885- Estimated to have killed 3,200 people during the Dogra rule and destroyed hundreds of residential houses.
- April 4, 1905: It was felt in entire Kashmir with considerable damage to property.
- September 12, 1981 – Gilgit Wazarat under occupation of Pakistan: Atleast 220 people were killed, 2,500 were injured in the Gilgit region.
- October 8, 2005 – Kashmir-Kohistan, Pakistan-India border- killed more than 80,000 people in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and 1,000 in J&K.
- May 1, 2013-5.8 magnitude quake hits Bhaderwah, J&K, leaving one dead and hundreds injured. Thousands of residential and government buildings developed cracks
