Falling in Seismic Zone 4, Is Delhi Prepared for Massive Earthquake? Shouldn't There be Stricter Building Audits of High Rises in NCR?

Delhi NCR Earthquake: A powerful earthquake recently shook the vibrant city of Bangkok, catching people off guard in the middle of their daily routine. The tremors, with an epicenter in Myanmar, measured a massive 7.7 on the Richter scale. Soon after, a disturbing video went viral—showing a multi-storey building collapsing like a pack of cards within seconds. The shocking visuals sparked global concern, reminding everyone how unpredictable and dangerous earthquakes can be.

This incident has raised serious questions closer to home—Is Delhi prepared for such a disaster? Falling in Seismic Zone 4, Delhi and the entire NCR region face a high risk of strong earthquakes. Yet, most buildings in the city may not even meet basic safety standards. Unlike Japan, where earthquake-resistant construction is mandatory, Delhi’s growing skyline still lacks proper checks. In this article, we will explore whether the Delhi NCR Earthquake threat is being taken seriously and why stricter building audits of high-rises in NCR are urgently needed.

Can Delhi Face the Same Destruction as Bangkok?

The tragic images and videos from Bangkok have triggered fear among people in Delhi NCR. And this fear is not without reason. Delhi’s construction quality has often been questioned. While technology and science are moving ahead worldwide, Delhi’s building safety standards remain doubtful.

The biggest concern is Delhi NCR’s location. The city is in Seismic Zone-4, which means it is highly prone to strong earthquakes. In recent years, many devastating quakes have hit India and the Himalayan region, making Delhi NCR even more vulnerable.

The big question now is—if an earthquake like Bangkok’s hits Delhi, will the city survive? Let’s understand what could happen.

What Will Happen If a 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Delhi?

To begin with, Delhi falls under Seismic Zone-4, which is considered one of the most sensitive zones in India. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake is extremely dangerous. It releases massive energy, enough to shake the land violently and even split it in some cases.

Such a strong quake can also cause landslides. In coastal areas, it could even trigger tsunamis. Earthquake strength is measured on the Richter scale from 0 to 10. Experts say that every increase of one point makes an earthquake ten times more powerful.

This means a 7.7 magnitude quake will be almost ten times stronger than a 6.2 magnitude quake. If it hits Delhi, the damage to life and property could be unimaginable.

Why Is Building Audit Important for NCR’s High-Rise Structures?

This brings us to the most important question—are Delhi’s buildings ready to face a high-magnitude earthquake?

A survey conducted in 2020 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) exposed some shocking facts. According to the NVT report, around 90% of Delhi’s buildings do not follow the earthquake safety rules required for Zone-4 areas.

Despite this, neither the government nor the local residents have shown enough awareness or urgency to fix this problem. Earthquake-resistant designs are missing in most buildings.

Another major risk is Delhi NCR’s location. It is just 250 km away from Himachal Pradesh. Experts warn that if an 8.0 magnitude earthquake strikes the Kangra region in Himachal, many high-rise buildings in Delhi NCR could face severe damage. The way the city is built also makes it difficult for people to escape safely during such an event.

How Japan’s Buildings Stay Safe During Big Earthquakes

Japan is located in a highly active seismic zone. The tectonic plates beneath it are constantly shifting, which often leads to earthquakes. Yet, Japanese cities rarely witness collapsing buildings or large-scale destruction.

The reason is Japan’s long-term investment in earthquake-resistant construction. The country has spent years developing advanced safety techniques to ensure that even during strong earthquakes, buildings don’t fall apart.

Some of the key technologies used in Japan include:

• Seismic Isolation: Buildings are designed to move gently with the tremors instead of resisting them.
• Flexible Steel Frames: These frames absorb and spread out the earthquake’s energy.
• Strong Beams and Columns: The structure is built with extra-thick beams, columns, and walls to avoid collapse.
• Sway-Friendly Structures: Buildings are made to bend and sway rather than break under pressure.
• Strict Building Codes: New construction rules make it mandatory to use earthquake-resistant technology.

While Japan has successfully protected its buildings, Delhi NCR Earthquake preparedness still has a long way to go. The lack of awareness and proper safety measures makes the city vulnerable. It is urgent that authorities conduct building audits and implement earthquake-resistant designs to prevent a possible disaster.