Introduction
India is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location at the boundary of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A significant portion of the country falls under seismic zones III, IV, and V, indicating moderate to very high earthquake risks. Past disasters, such as the 1993 Latur Earthquake, 2001 Bhuj Earthquake, and the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, have caused massive destruction, exposing gaps in disaster preparedness and response. Despite technological advancements and policy frameworks, the country’s ability to withstand major earthquakes remains weak. As rapid urbanization continues, earthquake resilience is no longer optional but a necessity. This article examines India’s seismic vulnerability, the current state of earthquake preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and the economic benefits of a seismically safe India.
Understanding India’s Seismic Zones
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified India into four seismic zones based on earthquake intensity and frequency. Zone II (low risk) covers 44% of India, including central and southern regions such as Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Zone III (moderate risk) includes 26% of the country, affecting major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Zone IV (high risk) accounts for 18% of the land, covering Delhi, parts of Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. Zone V (very high risk) covers 12% of India, including the Northeast, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Nearly 60% of India’s land area falls within moderate to severe earthquake zones, making earthquake readiness a national priority. The map below illustrates the same.
Source: Maps of India
The State of Earthquake-Resistant Buildings in India
Despite the high seismic risk, a large percentage of buildings in India are not earthquake-resistant. Over the past two decades, earthquakes have caused significant loss of life and property, with housing failures responsible for over 95% of fatalities, largely due to poor design and construction practices. In urban areas, many modern high-rises are constructed, but compliance with seismic safety standards is inconsistent. In rural areas, houses are often built using unreinforced masonry, making them extremely vulnerable during earthquakes. Government buildings, schools, and hospitals, especially in high-risk zones, frequently fail to meet earthquake-resistant design standards, making them particularly dangerous during seismic events.
Case Study: Japan: Lessons from the “ Land of the Rising Sun”
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, yet it has successfully minimised earthquake-related fatalities through strict building regulations, early warning systems, public education, and advanced infrastructure technology. The country enforces some of the most rigorous seismic safety codes, ensuring that buildings are constructed to withstand strong tremors. Additionally, Japan’s Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system, operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, provides real-time alerts seconds before an earthquake strikes, allowing people to take immediate protective measures. Public education plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness, with mandatory earthquake drills conducted in schools, offices, and public spaces to ensure citizens know how to respond effectively. Furthermore, Japan has pioneered seismic infrastructure innovations, including shock-absorbing buildings, base isolation techniques, and flexible foundations, which significantly reduce structural damage during earthquakes.
🟧- Lessons for High-risk areas ( Zone IV and Zone V)
Source: Japan’s Earthquake Resistant Buildings: A Model for Future Architecture | E-Housing Learning from Megadisasters: Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Building Structure Requirements in Earthquake-Prone Areas
To improve earthquake resilience, buildings in high-risk zones must adhere to seismic safety guidelines outlined in the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 and IS 1893:2016. Earthquake-resistant structures require ductile design, ensuring flexibility to absorb seismic shocks. Buildings should have symmetrical designs with uniform weight distribution, reducing the risk of structural failure. Advanced base isolation techniques can be used to absorb ground vibrations and protect structures from damage.
The choice of construction materials also plays a crucial role in seismic safety. Reinforced concrete, steel bracing, and cross-laminated timber are far superior to traditional brick-and-mortar structures. Shear walls and cross-bracing enhance building stability, preventing collapses. Flexible joints and energy-absorbing dampers can also reduce earthquake impact. For existing structures, retrofitting techniques such as jacketing of columns and beams, installing seismic bracing, and strengthening foundations can significantly improve resilience. In addition, critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and bridges must be designed to remain functional after an earthquake.
However, despite these requirements, several challenges hinder implementation. Many builders, contractors, and even government agencies lack adequate training in seismic construction. Poor enforcement of laws and high retrofitting costs make it difficult for homeowners and small businesses to comply with earthquake-resistant standards. Unauthorized constructions in many cities completely ignore seismic safety measures, increasing the risk of disaster.
Economic Benefits of an Earthquake-Resistant India
Investing in earthquake-resilient infrastructure is not only a matter of disaster prevention but also a critical economic necessity. Strengthening buildings and infrastructure significantly reduces disaster recovery costs, as the expense of reconstructing damaged structures far exceeds the cost of building them to withstand seismic activity in the first place. By minimising earthquake-related destruction, businesses, industries, and supply chains remain protected, ensuring overall economic stability and resilience. A well-prepared India will experience fewer economic disruptions, enabling sustained growth even in the aftermath of major seismic events.
Building earthquake-resistant infrastructure is also essential for maintaining business continuity. By reducing structural damage, such measures ensure the uninterrupted operation of essential services, industries, and commercial activities, preventing financial setbacks and loss of productivity. Moreover, incorporating disaster resilience into critical infrastructure projects—such as highways, airports, hospitals, and power plants enhances long-term sustainability. Early investment in seismic-resistant construction and retrofitting reduces the future need for costly repairs, safeguarding both public and private investments.
Beyond protection, an earthquake-resilient India presents significant economic opportunities. The demand for seismic retrofitting and earthquake-resistant construction will create employment across the engineering, construction, and manufacturing sectors, boosting economic activity. Additionally, stable infrastructure attracts greater foreign investment, as businesses prefer regions with reliable, disaster-resilient facilities. The real estate and tourism industries will also benefit, as safer cities increase investor confidence and make India a more attractive destination. Finally, promoting earthquake insurance coverage will provide financial security to homeowners and businesses, ensuring faster recovery and reducing the economic burden on the government.
Conclusion
With over 60% of India’s land in seismic risk zones, the need for earthquake resilience is urgent. While policies exist, their implementation remains weak, putting millions of homes, businesses, and public spaces at risk. Strong enforcement of building codes, investment in seismic technology, and public awareness campaigns are essential to reducing earthquake-related losses. Additionally, financial mechanisms such as insurance, subsidies for retrofitting, and disaster relief funds will ensure that both individuals and businesses are better prepared.
By adopting a proactive approach to earthquake readiness, India can safeguard lives, protect the economy, and build a disaster-resilient future. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of preparedness. Now is the time to act before the next big earthquake strikes.