Which of the following statements correctly identifies key scientific, geographical, and administrative challenges in India's earthquake preparedness, particularly in high-risk seismic zones?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is (C).
Explanation:
☛ The North-Eastern states lie in the highest-risk Zone V, while several parts of western India (e.g. parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra) fall under Zone IV. Note that the Kutch region of Gujarat is also in Zone V.
☛ Option (C) correctly identifies the crucial preparedness gaps: weak enforcement of building codes, outdated land-use planning, and inadequate retrofitting of old buildings in urban clusters, which seriously affect disaster resilience.
☛ India’s seismic zoning is based on IS 1893 prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The four zones are II, III, IV and V, with Zone V being the most severe.
☛ The other options exaggerate or misstate facts: the entire Himalayan belt is not in Zone V; seismic microzonation has not been completed for all urban centres; and an Earthquake Early Warning System is not uniformly installed in all states.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Zone V covers the entire North-East, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kutch (Gujarat), Andaman & Nicobar Islands and parts of Bihar.
☛ Zone IV includes Delhi, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
☛ The National Building Code (NBC) contains seismic design provisions; the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issues guidelines for earthquake risk reduction.
☛ Seismic microzonation has been done only for selected high-risk cities such as Delhi, not for all urban centres.
☛ NDMA works with State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) for preparedness; early warning systems are not available universally across India.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which Indian region lies entirely in Seismic Zone V? → The entire North-Eastern region.
☛ Which standard classifies India into seismic zones? → IS 1893 of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
☛ Which seismic zone includes Delhi? → Zone IV.
☛ Which is the highest-risk seismic zone in India? → Zone V.
☛ Which authority issues earthquake-safety guidelines for urban planning in India? → National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).