IIIT-H study enlists Vij as quake-prone

A latest study reveals that Vijayawada is one of the 50 major earthquake-prone zone cities in the country. The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH), along with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has developed an Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI) for 50 cities and one district.

In this pilot study, the cities were selected based on population density, housing threat factor and cities identified by the Government of India.

The study stated that Vijayawada is in the limits of a seismic zone-III prone area which is only at a height of 39 feet above sea level. The report was prepared by researchers of the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre of IIIT Hyderabad, under the guidance of the head of the department, Pradeep Ramanacharla, after a study of about 3 years.

While the study concentrated on population density and housing threat factor, it also pointed out that the digging and use of a huge number of bore wells is one of the major factors that make the city earthquake-prone. Nearly 22 areas in the city are identified as earthquake prone.

The researchers spoke of 13 high, 30 middle and 7 low-risk cities. They stated that Vijayawada, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Chandigarh are in earthquake-prone zones.

Earlier, the government had issued guidelines through AP disaster management and conducted workshops for builders, but it has to begin implementation to overcome the problem, say experts.