Kal flooding aaj earthquake: Delhiites start viral meme fest on social media; here's what to do as per NDRF guidelines
The epicentre was reported in Jhajjar (Haryana). While no casualties have been reported so far, the tremors certainly made themselves felt across Delhi-NCR. Interestingly, Delhi falls under Seismic Zone 4, marked as high-risk for moderate to severe quakes. So there's no surprise about the seismic plates having their shake.
Social media, of course, had a field day. While some downplayed the tremor as 'too light,' others vented their frustration at the ongoing weather rollercoaster. One user summed it up: 'First the rain, now earthquake?" Another joked, "Delhi mein final destination vibes."
In response, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dropped a reminder of its Drop-Cover-Hold mantra.
Here's a quick recap of the golden rule during an earthquake:
During tremors
Stay calm.
Take shelter under a sturdy table.
Cover your head with one hand, hold the table with the other.
Do NOT use elevators.
Once the shaking stops, step outside — away from buildings, poles, trees, or bridges.
In a vehicle
Park in an open area and wait it out.
Post-quake survival tips
Avoid damaged buildings. Use stairs, not lifts.
If trapped, don't light a match. Cover your mouth, tap on walls or pipes, or use a whistle to alert rescuers.
Before disaster strikes
Consult a structural engineer.
Fix wall cracks and secure heavy objects on lower shelves.
Keep an emergency kit and exit plan ready — always.
Let's face it, in Delhi, even your morning chai needs a contingency plan. And when all else fails, here's our pick of the memes from X (formerly Twitter) to get you through this "deadly combo" of Delhi playing "natural disaster bingo".
And if, like so many others who didn't feel the tremors, you're feeling FOMO— here's a tip on how to beat others the next time an earthquake strikes:
For more, follow @htcity.delhijunction
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Heat index: how heat-stressed are you?
Share Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit TAKING ON THE HEAT The maximum temperature on June 9 in Chennai was 36°C. But, high humidity and the kind of work they did compounded the heat stress for many. SATHYA A tiffin cook from central Chennai was exposed to conditions that made it feel like 69°C at 11:30 a.m. that day. 'I don't drink chilled water as I can't afford it… the water I drink is so hot that I would rather bear with the thirst' ANAND A fisherman who set out into the Bay of Bengal from Marina Beach experienced 69°C when he was at sea at 12:56 p.m. that day. 'The heat breaks our nets and makes the already itchy seawater more unbearable.' PRAKASH An industrial steel worker experienced similar discomfort when the heat index was nearly 66°C for him at 3:10 p.m. 'I don't think I need anything more than an occasional glass of water, no?' LEON* Name changed on request. An auto driver who goes around the city hit his peak discomfort at 2:20 p.m. when the heat felt like 56.8°C during one of his afternoon rides. 'Buying cool drinks everyday hurts my income, but I can't do much else to manage the heat. Pazhagi pochu. [I've become used to it]' During the summer and in the days after, these four individuals have often felt dizzy and nauseous and cramped during their job, have dealt with fainting spells, rising heart rates, and even the feeling of their skin burning up. These are symptoms typically experienced by people during heat waves, according to the World Health Organisation. A heat wave is a 'period of unusually high temperatures', measured as a deviation from the normal temperature of a region, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The Hindu Data team used Arduino Nano devices with temperature and humidity sensors to continuously record time-stamped data on an on-device SD card. We handed these devices out to four people from different parts of Chennai. This data allowed us to calculate the heat index, revealing how people from disparate socioeconomic backgrounds experienced heat through the day. The data were collected by our respondents on June 9, 2025. Despite Chennai experiencing light showers at 4 p.m. that day, respondents faced extreme discomfort and humidity. Further, these data were recorded a few weeks past the city's peak summer heat. The heat index indicates how much heat stress you're suffering, not just the air temperature. When the air is hot, your body sweats, and the sweat cools the skin when it evaporates. If the air is also humid, sweat won't evaporate well, so your body will cool more slowly. Thus you will experience more heat stress. The heat index combines temperature and humidity in a formula to estimate this stress-related temperature. For example: 35°C with 85% relative humidity – not uncommon in Chennai – entails a heat index of 60°C. It's just a way to show how heat and humidity together affect your comfort and health. While Chennai officially records a maximum temperature every day, not everyone experiences it the same way. 'Take a room with an air conditioner set to 19 degree celsius. The person sitting in the room will feel the chillness of that temperature, while another person in the same room using the treadmill will feel hot,' explains Vidhya Venugopal, professor and Country Director (NIHR GHRC NCD-EC, India) at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai. According to Prof. Venugopal, there are two types of heat that influence how temperature is experienced: external or environmental heat and internal or metabolic heat. The intensity of the working class' routines combined with exposure to the sun results in them experiencing drastically higher temperatures. Let's take a closer look at these individuals, a day in their lives, and the heat index recorded in their devices while at work. The heat index to which they're exposed is as if they live through multiple heatwaves every day. Some data may be missing because they accidentally turned off the device. However, we still captured their experiences in these times in our conversations. Scorched kitchens, tiffin served hot TIME 8:55 A.M. TEMP 32°C HEAT INDEX 47 The days start out manageable, as Sathya, the tiffin cook, wakes up to a quiet street in Parry's Corner even before the sun rises, in the last hours before the discomfort begins. At around 9:00 a.m., she is ready with her meat and fish prepared, spices ground, and vegetables chopped. She stands over large cooking utensils that perfume the hot air with steam, meen (fish) curries on the way. Just as Sathya puts her ladle down, the heat and humidity peak. She manages by wiping her face with her saree's pallu (loose end of the saree). Sathya sells her meals, walks across Parry's to buy ingredients for the next day, and sleeps in her shack. Rashes and hot skin forced Sathya to dab herself with water throughout the day. But she no longer feels relief at doing so. 'What do you suggest I do? During these months, the water itself is boiling hot!' Sathya's heat index She accidentally placed the machine near the stove, resulting in abnormally high heat index. 80 70 Sathya's heat index peaked to nearly 69°C at around 11.30 a.m. Heat index 60 50 40 3:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Satya accidentally placed the machine near the burning stove during this period, resulting in abnormally high heat index. 80 70 Sathya's heat index peaked to nearly 69°C at around 11.30 a.m. Heat index 60 50 40 3:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Sathya cooks in her kitchen where the heat index she experiences can go up as high as 69°C, especially when she's next to the stove for hours. Photo credit: Ragu R Sathya has fallen into the habit of using the restroom only twice a day for two reasons: she has to staff her tiffin stall for most of the day, and the public restrooms around her shack are unclean. She contracted a chronic urinary tract infection (UTI) as a result. Prof. Venugopal elaborates on the female experience of heatwave-like conditions. 'Women are more at-risk for developing UTIs. Especially when menstruating, they cannot dispose of their pad or change because of (unclean) toilets.' Cultural norms and societal expectations also play a role in magnifying heat stress among women. 'Generally, women in informal workplaces in India wear a saree and blouse with an inskirt. For the ease of raising their hands, bending, etc. without having to expose their chest or abdomen, they wear a shirt on top of the saree. The multiple layers of clothing trap the heat on their bodies,' she says. No shade on the open sea TIME 9:00 A.M. TEMP 33.7°C HEAT INDEX 43.2 Humidity severely affects Anand, 33, the fisherman. He leaves for the sea at 8:00 a.m. and travels for an hour. He sets his net into the water for about an hour as well. Anand and his colleagues row back to the shore during the hottest part of the day. They need to make sure the fish is covered as often as possible, or they might spoil. A moment of relief from the blinding sun as Chennai's occasional summer showers rain down on Anand. He stores his catch in ice and sells them on the beachside roads. Temperatures rise. His customers complain about the fish not being fresh enough. They haggle, with eventual concessions on both sides. A good day's catch doesn't always mean good money. After about 6 p.m., Anand goes back to his shack. The night is more humid. Anand tells us that the urban slums by the Marina Beach comprise nearly 5,000 families, and about half of them find themselves sleeping outside their homes or quarters at night, as most find it difficult to bear the increased humidity. 'We'd like to do the same, but we can't, for the safety of our baby girl,' he says. Anand's heat index Anand's heat index peaked to 69°C at around 1 p.m. 70 65 60 Heat index 55 50 45 40 35 30 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Anand's heat index peaked to 48°C at around 1 p.m. 70 65 60 Heat index 55 50 45 40 35 30 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Anand is out on the open sea in the afternoon when the heat index is at its highest. Here, he is mending his nets. Photo credit: Jothi Ramalingam B Anand accidentally turned off the device at night and we weren't able to calculate his heat index data then. He described what it was like later. 'In oorus (localities) near Chennai, the government builds well-ventilated buildings (for fishermen communities) which we don't have here. These would really help us with the storage of nets to prevent this damage as well as during times of surplus. Adhu semma benefita irukkum [That would be very beneficial],' he says. When sweat evaporates, the water molecules enter the air, cooling the body in a process called evaporative cooling. But in coastal areas, the atmosphere is already saturated with evaporated seawater, says Prof. Venugopal, which leaves nowhere for these water molecules to go. This is what makes humidity discomfiting. The urban landscape also hinders cooling in humans and plants alike, says Jagdish Krishnaswamy, the Dean of the School of Environment and Sustainability (SES) at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru. 'Built surfaces, pavements, buildings, concrete, etc., can absorb and retain a lot of heat. This also leads to much warmer nights,' he says. This is the urban heat island effect: an area where the temperature in a populated city is at least two degrees higher than adjacent suburban or rural areas. Sathya and Anand aren't the only ones dealing with the amalgam of the city's heat and an occupation that amplifies its discomfort. Prakash's job involves polishing steel utensils in an enclosed environment all day, exposed to high temperatures. Photo credit: Jothi Ramalingam B Stifling heat, shining utensils TIME 9:29 A.M. TEMP 34.2°C HEAT INDEX 43.4 At dawn, Prakash, who works at a steelworking facility, takes an auto ride to a corner in Korukkupet. He reaches his workplace and awaits steel utensils he can polish to a gleam. He sits in a dimly lit room with two exhaust fans and piles of paanais (cooking utensils). The temperature is rising. None of the room's occupants addresses discomfort; not everyone has safety gear either. They take breaks when the heat gets particularly unbearable. During his work hours, the temperature peaks at around 3:00 p.m. Even though the device recorded a temperature of less than 40°C, the heat index calculated based on Prakash's heat and humidity level was 66°C, while he was cramped inside a room, polishing steel utensils. Prakash's heat index Prakash's heat index peaked to 66°C in the afternoon 65 60 55 Heat index 50 45 40 6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. Prakash's heat index peaked to 66°C in the afternoon 65 60 55 Heat index 50 45 40 6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. K Jeeva welds stainless steel utensils with a welding torch inside a manufacturing unit at Korukkupet, Chennai. Photo credit: Jothi Ramalingam B We ask Prakash what he'd like the State to do to help him through extreme heat. 'Juice would be nice,' he says. His boss adds: 'All we want from the government is that they allow us to conduct our business.' Dr. Krishnaswamy explained that even in slightly hot or humid conditions, the materials that make up one's house, such as the tarpaulin over Sathya's head, which is a potent heat-absorber, can magnify the discomfort of its inhabitants. The heat meter never stops TIME 9:00 A.M. TEMP 32°C HEAT INDEX 39.5°C Leon (name changed on request), an auto driver, buys himself a cool drink before he heads out on his daily route around the city. 'Of course buying it hurts my income, but it's my only source of energy during these tiring months,' he says. He has worked a 9-to-5 shift for 15 years, and his experience seeps into his hydration habits. He makes sure to have the recommended three litres of water a day, parking in the shade whenever he can, and applies creams and balms to soothe bouts of vercuru, or heat rashes. And yet he continues to live with the discomfort, unsure of how to get rid of it. After making many attempts to make the summer a bit more bearable, he is now resigned to facing the heat. He says, 'Pazhagi pochu' ['I've become used to it]. He experiences different levels of discomfort in different parts of the city. 'Areas with trees tend to be more bearable (in terms of heat), I prefer doing savaari (rides) in those areas over main roads full of buildings,' he says. Leon's heat index Leon's heat index peaked to 56.8°C during one of his afternoon rides 55 52.5 Heat index 50 47.5 45 Missing data 42.5 40 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Leon's heat index peaked to 56.8°C during one of his afternoon rides 55 52.5 Heat index 50 47.5 45 42.5 Missing data 40 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Since 2019, the Government of Tamil Nadu has focused on extreme heat by evolving the Tamil Nadu Heat Action Plan. In 2024, Tamil Nadu's State Planning Commission released two reports titled 'Beating The Heat-Tamil Nadu Heat Mitigation Strategy' and the 'Urban heat island-hotspot analysis and mitigation strategies for Tamil Nadu'. These reports highlighted the adverse ecological and economic consequences of heat stress and also proposed recommendations on predicting heat waves earlier, increasing public awareness of how to respond to a heatwave, preparing health systems to manage health conditions, increasing green cover, and improving research on the subject. However, these reports do not adequately address the situational nuances of vulnerable communities, according to Vanessa Peter, the founder of Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC), an NGO. The Tamil Nadu Heat Mitigation Strategy (2024) has identified various strategies to help street vendors, such as heat shelters, provision of ice boxes to prevent spoilage, and access to safe drinking water, but it has not addressed other aspects of heat that affect people like Sathya. 'There is no focus on the access to toilets. Access to safe drinking water and public toilets is equally important, as women vendors point out that they do not drink adequate water because of the non-availability of toilets near their vending spaces,' Ms. Peter says. While Sathya is entitled to these benefits as a street vendor, members of her family who live in 'homeless situations' remain unaddressed in the policy. 'The policy does recognise differential impacts on children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities' but not those living on the streets, says Ms. Peter. Prakash's professional setting exposes him to extreme discomfort. 'The strategy document mentions the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Tamil Nadu) Rules, 2022 that details the various measures that employers must take to ensure workers' health,' Ms. Peter adds. 'The document also emphasises the need to include provisions related to the thermal comfort of workers in indoor and outdoor environments. But the case of Prakash, who works in a private steelworking facility, reveals that there needs to be robust guidelines for private factories and monitoring of the same.' She also says the implementation of the strategy has been less than adequate due to a lack of coordination between various departments responsible. 'The absence of specific guidelines highlighting the roles of the different departments is a challenge for preparing and responding to heat emergencies for the urban homeless,' she says. Ms. Peter also speaks about the mention of the temperature humidity index. For the vulnerable communities, priority actions related to humidity are identified, including changing all asbestos roofs to safe and cool roofing materials, especially focusing on low-income housing. Maintaining thermal comfort in all built environments is prioritised through passive or active cooling techniques in building codes and regulation by urban local bodies (ULBs). Despite these identified strategies, Ms. Peter says that the designs of most of the houses built by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Board do not have scope for ventilation. 'This strategy does not mention the existing Resilient Urban Design Framework of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (2020) that has provisions for natural ventilation, daylight access and thermal comfort in the design. The proposed suggestions in this framework have not been implemented in many of the housing projects.' Chandrakant Lahariya, a practising physician in the Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice in New Delhi and an expert in global health, recommends a more practicable approach. 'During heatwaves, local authorities carry out a lot of short-term measures such as advisories to drink more water. However, to make that happen, municipalities and city authorities need to ensure the easy availability of drinking water points, and the availability of ORS powder.' Dr. Lahariya also suggests workplaces allow staggered work timings (wherever possible). Work can be closed during specified peak hours of the day, especially for those who work in the informal sector, open spaces and in direct sun exposure. 'If policymakers and planners remember that a heatwave is an equity issue and that the approach has to be people-centric, half of the task will be done,' he says. Note: We calculated the heat index using the formula developed by the U.S. National Weather Service (NOAA), which factors in air temperature and relative humidity. The IMD then experimentally classifies the resulting temperature into four alert levels for human discomfort: (<35°C), (36-45°C), (46-55°C), and (>55°C).
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Kal flooding aaj earthquake: Delhiites start viral meme fest on social media; here's what to do as per NDRF guidelines
Just as Delhiites were drying off from the overnight downpour on Wednesday (July 9), Mother Nature tossed in another surprise — a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the Capital at exactly 9.04am today, Thursday (July 10)! Yes, that snooze button did not stand a chance today as residents across Delhi NCR woke up to shaking beds, water bottles, and the OG earthquake detectors — desi ceiling fans. And if not these, then the flurry of endless (and hilarious!) memes. Users on X (formerly Twitter) flooded timelines with hilarious memes about Delhi NCR facing heavy rains, flooding, pollution, and now an earthquake.(Photos: X) The epicentre was reported in Jhajjar (Haryana). While no casualties have been reported so far, the tremors certainly made themselves felt across Delhi-NCR. Interestingly, Delhi falls under Seismic Zone 4, marked as high-risk for moderate to severe quakes. So there's no surprise about the seismic plates having their shake. Social media, of course, had a field day. While some downplayed the tremor as 'too light,' others vented their frustration at the ongoing weather rollercoaster. One user summed it up: 'First the rain, now earthquake?" Another joked, "Delhi mein final destination vibes." In response, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dropped a reminder of its Drop-Cover-Hold mantra. Here's a quick recap of the golden rule during an earthquake: During tremors Stay calm. Take shelter under a sturdy table. Cover your head with one hand, hold the table with the other. Do NOT use elevators. Once the shaking stops, step outside — away from buildings, poles, trees, or bridges. In a vehicle Park in an open area and wait it out. Post-quake survival tips Avoid damaged buildings. Use stairs, not lifts. If trapped, don't light a match. Cover your mouth, tap on walls or pipes, or use a whistle to alert rescuers. Before disaster strikes Consult a structural engineer. Fix wall cracks and secure heavy objects on lower shelves. Keep an emergency kit and exit plan ready — always. Let's face it, in Delhi, even your morning chai needs a contingency plan. And when all else fails, here's our pick of the memes from X (formerly Twitter) to get you through this "deadly combo" of Delhi playing "natural disaster bingo". And if, like so many others who didn't feel the tremors, you're feeling FOMO— here's a tip on how to beat others the next time an earthquake strikes: For more, follow @
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
Earthquakes in Delhi-NCR are frequent: Can buildings in the region withstand regular tremors?
'Are our houses safe?' Many residents of Delhi-NCR wondered after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region on Thursday morning (July 10). The nation's capital and its surrounding region are a hotbed of seismic activity. It has raised questions about the thousands of high-rises and their ability to withstand tremors read more 'For a few seconds, it felt that the ground shook vigorously. All of us rushed out,' said a man in Haryana's Gurugram just seconds after Delhi-NCR in India experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday. The sudden jolt shocked residents across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and nearby areas; many of them rushed out of their houses and offices in panic. This prompted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to put out an advisory — asking people not to panic, run outside and take the stairs while doing so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The quake, though shallow, has once again shone a spotlight on Delhi being earthquake prone, which has also led many to ask: Can the buildings in the capital withstand seismic activity? Delhi-NCR jolted by mild earthquake On Thursday morning, the National Centre of Seismology noted that a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Delhi and nearby areas. The earthquake, which was shallow and originated about 10 km below the earth's surface, originated around Jhajjar in Haryana and was felt across the National Capital Region. As tremors struck the area, residents left their houses, posting videos of their fans and other household items swaying after the quake struck. A man in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh said: 'I had woken up just at the time when there was a jolt. I was scared. There was another earthquake just a few days ago. Delhi-NCR experiences earthquakes quite often. So, we should be mindful of safety and precautions…' #WATCH | An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter Scale hit Jhajjar, Haryana today at 9:04 am IST. Strong tremors felt in Delhi-NCR. A man in Delhi says, "I felt the was a little scary. We should be mindful of safety when this happens..." — ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2025 Another resident from Haryana told news agency ANI, 'We were sitting here and having tea when I suddenly felt strong earthquakes. I told everyone to rush out of the building. Everyone rushed out.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Delhi Police informed on X that no damage has been reported across the city because of the quake. 'No reports of any damage have been received so far from the earthquake that struck Delhi-NCR this morning. We pray for the well-being of all Delhi residents,' the post, roughly translated from Hindi, read. Delhi-NCR, a seismic hot zone Thursday's quake is the latest one to strike the nation's capital. Earlier, on February 17, Delhi-NCR witnessed similar tremors after a 4.0 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre in south Delhi's Dhaula Kuan was recorded. In fact, Delhi is prone to earthquakes and falls in the Zone IV of seismically active areas of the country, which is the second highest category. This is because of two primary reasons: first, the capital has three active fault lines running through it — the Sohna, Mathura and Delhi-Moradabad fault lines. Additionally, neighbouring Haryana region has seven such lines running across it. Secondly, Delhi's proximity to the Himalayan region, which also is in a high seismic zone, further makes the capital prone to receiving aftershocks. Data from the NCS shows that the region has recorded 446 earthquakes between 1993 to 2025 within a 50 sq km radius of the Dhaula Kuan epicentre, ranging from a magnitude of 1.1 to 4.6. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An aerial view of New Delhi. The Delhi-NCR region is dotted with buildings, many of them unauthorised. File image/PTI High-rise living in nation's capital The quake on Thursday has raised concerns among residents of high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad about structural safety and the potential impact of aftershocks. This has become even more pertinent as most buildings in Delhi-NCR are 20 floors high. In fact, in a nationwide survey carried out in February, only 14 per cent of respondents said that they were confident that their home was earthquake-resistant. Moreover, only a whopping 87 per cent of respondents said no audit has been done on the building to check how structurally safe it is, which determines its capacity to maintain integrity during natural disasters such as earthquakes. In 2017, the Delhi High Court noted that many buildings violated codes, lacking safety features. Moreover, many of the constructions are unauthorised or bypass safety regulations, compounding the risk in the capital. And two years later, even the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and earthquake experts noted that 90 per cent of buildings in the capital are at risk of collapsing during a quake. Many planning and construction experts note that despite the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) establishing seismic codes, its implementation remains a problem in Delhi. AK Jain, former Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in a Business Standard report said, 'Many illegal buildings in unauthorised colonies and urban villages have become five to six storeys high without any approved building plans. These structures often lack input from structural engineers, use substandard materials, and are not designed to withstand earthquake shocks.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many planning and construction experts note that despite the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) establishing seismic codes, its implementation remains a problem in Delhi. File image/PTI PSN Rao, a housing and architecture expert at the School of Planning and Architecture also noted that unauthorised constructions remains an issue in Delhi-NCR. 'Buildings come up overnight, posing a very high risk to people living there. It is also necessary to carry out retrofitting of old buildings on a large scale across Delhi and north India, which is more vulnerable to earthquakes,' he was quoted as telling the Times of India. But sub-standard or poor construction isn't the only reason why building remain vulnerable. The soil on which the buildings are constructed also matters. A 2023 journal by HS Mandal from the National Centre for Seismology revealed that 75 per cent of NCR lies on water-saturated, loose alluvial soil. This kind of soil becomes more vulnerable during a quake, leading to severe structural damage. Steps to protect buildings in Delhi-NCR So, what can be done in order to ensure that the buildings in Delhi-NCR can withstand a quake. Experts state that a proper audit needs to be done of all the buildings to assess their quality. Also, builders and developers must ensure that they follow safety norms and use good quality materials while constructing new buildings. In case of older constructions, retrofitting should be carried out to make the buildings stronger and safer. This can include jacketing, which is adding a layer of concrete or steel around weak beams, wall strengthening — the process of adding shear walls or braces) — and base isolation in which flexible bearings are used to reduce shaking impact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
