India, Pakistan Hit by 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake

Earthquake Hits Pakistan, Tremors Felt in India

“Extensive studies are needed for seismic hazard evaluation for different parts of Delhi and vulnerability...”

Delhi Earthquake Alert: City at Risk Due to Lack of Preparedness | Recent Tremors Highlight Need for Robust Disaster Management Strategies

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Pakistan at 12:58 pm on September 11, 2024, with tremors extending to New Delhi, India. Social media users in Delhi shared photos of swaying ceiling fans and wall hangings, capturing the moment.

The earthquake's epicenter was located 130 kilometers south of Dera Ismail Khan in Pakistan, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Fortunately, no reports of damage to life or property have been received from Pakistan, Afghanistan, or India.

This is the second time in two weeks that Delhi has experienced mild tremors, sparking concern among residents. Despite the lack of damage, the frequent seismic activity in the region serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and safety measures.

A similar earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 struck on August 29, originating 255 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface in Afghanistan. This recent seismic activity has raised concerns about the region's vulnerability to earthquakes.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has highlighted a critical gap in the city's preparedness, noting that its settlement patterns have never been evaluated in relation to its geological characteristics and location. This oversight poses significant risks, as a major earthquake could potentially cause widespread destruction and loss of life.

According to the DDMA's assessments, a powerful earthquake could have devastating consequences, including extensive damage to infrastructure, significant casualties, and widespread disruption. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive earthquake risk assessment and mitigation strategies to protect the city and its inhabitants.

“Pockets with high rise buildings or ill- designed high-risk areas exist without specific consideration of earthquake resistance.

“Similarly, unplanned settlements with sub-standard structures are also prone to heavy damage even in moderate shaking,” DDMA mentioned.

It acknowledged that, at present, there are too few earthquake experts for a country as large as India.

The disaster management authority added that, ”we must focus our attention on institutional and manpower development at all levels.

“Extensive studies are needed for seismic hazard evaluation for different parts of Delhi and vulnerability assessment for different kinds of constructions; using these, seismic risk evaluation for Delhi must be carried out.”

Delhi falls within a high seismic zone (zone four), indicating a significant level of earthquake vulnerability. The city's location in this zone necessitates robust disaster preparedness measures to mitigate potential risks.

To effectively prepare for earthquakes, the DDMA emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. This includes providing technical training, strengthening institutional capacity, developing technical manuals, implementing legal and enforcement measures, and conducting public awareness programs. By adopting this holistic strategy, Delhi can enhance its resilience to seismic activity and minimize potential damage.

“Most importantly, we need the political will to handle this problem and the biggest challenge perhaps lies in drawing the attention of political leadership to this problem when the city faces many other urgent problems,” it concluded.

Seismologists have repeatedly cautioned that while Delhi has been fortunate to have recent tremors originate at a relatively safe distance, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of six or higher striking close to the capital would likely unleash catastrophic consequences, inflicting widespread damage and loss of life.