Most of Uttarakhand vulnarable to earthquakes

Dehra Dun, July 20: Most of the districts in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand are sensitive to earthquake, according to a Geological Survey of India report.

The Report revealed that out of 13 district in the state, Chamoli and Bageshwar came under 100 per cent hyper sensitive seismic zones.

Meanwhile, five districts, including Dehra Dun, Champawat, Nainital, Uddhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar lay under 100 per cent sensitive zone.

According to the report, sensitivity percentages in Rudrapryag and Pithoragarh are 98.3 and 94.9 respectively. Similarly, it is 96.8 in Tehri and Pauri, 83.3 in Uttarkashi and 81.6 in Almora.

It further stated that an earthquake of 8 in richter scale was sufficient to cause devastation within 100 km perimetre in the state. 31.1 per cent buildings fell under hyper sensitive zone and 61.8 per cent in sensitive zone.

The unplaned constructions in Dehra Dun was making it more vulnerable to earthquakes where the population has increased by 232 per cent in last four decades.

Director General GSI, P M Tejale said predicting the earthquakes was not possible but identifying the sensitive places could save lives and properties. The Report prepared after three years of research was submitted to Chief Secretary S K Das, he added.

UNI