Lok Sabha reply: Government on earthquake risk and monitoring in Kangra–Chamba–Dharamshala belt
Government says the Kangra–Chamba–Dharamshala belt remains a high seismic-risk region and underlines the role of earthquake monitoring, disaster preparedness, and earthquake-resistant construction.
- The National Center for Seismology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences provides continuous earthquake monitoring through the National Seismological Network.
- The Kangra–Chamba–Dharamshala belt is a high-seismic-risk region in Himachal Pradesh and is capable of generating large earthquakes because of active tectonic processes.
- The National Disaster Management Authority promotes earthquake preparedness through mock drills, training, disaster plans, and emergency response mechanisms.
- State Governments and Urban Local Bodies are responsible for implementing earthquake-resistant construction standards through the National Building Code, Bureau of Indian Standards seismic design codes, and Model Building Bye-Laws.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha that the Kangra–Chamba–Dharamshala belt in Himachal Pradesh remains a high earthquake-risk region. The reply is relevant for UPSC because it connects seismic geography with disaster preparedness, monitoring systems, and building safety standards.
What happened
The Government said the National Center for Seismology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences continuously monitors earthquakes across India through the National Seismological Network.
UPSC can frame the issue around Seismic Zone V, the role of the National Center for Seismology, the National Disaster Management Authority, earthquake-resistant construction standards, and the challenge of enforcing mitigation measures in vulnerable hill infrastructure.
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