In the last few years, J&K has witnessed many low intensity earthquakes at various places with no major damage reported or loss of life.
It is good that the region despite falling in the critical seismic zone has not seen devastation on account of a major tremor after the 2005 earthquake which led to loss of hundreds of lives in PoK, Afghanistan and parts of Kashmir. As observed in the recent floods and landslides in Jammu region, where the concerned authorities were seen struggling to reach out to the public affected by the calamity, it becomes necessary that the J&K disaster management authority and other related agencies should start preparing for a catastrophe emerging out of a high intensity earthquake because no one can predict that when the region will see the next bigger earthquake.
As per the J&K Disaster Management Authority most parts of Kashmir Valley (15.3 per cent of the area of the state), and Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar of Jammu region fall under Seismic Zone V (very high damage risk zone), which houses more than 50 per cent of the population of UT. Apart from this, the rest of the UT and most parts of Jammu Division (84.7 per cent of the total area of the UT) fall under the Seismic Zone IV (high damage risk zone).
As mentioned earlier, many places in J&K witnessed low intensity earthquakes on an almost regular basis as was seen today when an earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale hit Doda at 02:47:08 IST, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at a depth of 5 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 33.10 N and longitude 76.18 E. No reports of casualties or damage have been received so far.
Considering these tremors of small magnitude, one can say that there is dire need to get ready for a bigger jolt because readiness for such a calamity at present seems to be inadequate with many people having no knowledge about what to do in case a high intensity tremor struck the region.
It is for sure that humans neither can stop earthquakes from happening nor they can predict about their onset till date but they can surely stop or at least minimize the damage by remaining alert and aware.
It is necessary that J&K Disaster Management Authority spreads awareness in schools, colleges, offices and among all the people so that they remain cautious and take necessary steps at the time of quake to lessen the impact of jolting of earth’s surface. This is vital for survival and therefore the government should think over it seriously without wasting much time.
