IN SEVERE SEISMIC ZONE

The Himalayas by virtue of being the youngest mountain range are seismically active. The activity is closely associated with the faults and folds that trend normal or oblique to the main Himalayan trend, which leads to the under-thrusting of the blocks.

Himachal Pradesh falls in zones V and IV as per the seismic map of India. Zone V covers areas liable to seismic intensity 9 and above in the Modified Mercalli Scale and is the most severe seismic zone referred to as the very high damage risk zone. Zone IV covers areas liable to seismic intensity 8 and is second in severity.

The five districts of Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi have 53% to 98% area in zone V and the remaining districts fall in zone IV.