DR. B. R.

AMBEDKAR NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT ON; Earthquake; its occurrence in India during past few

years and its mitigation measures

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Ms. Mamta Batra PRIYANK YADAV
2201086
Section B
Batch 2022- 2027

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 Acknowledgement

Every project big or small is successful largely due to the efforts of several wonderful people
who have always given their valuable advice or lent a helping hand. I sincerely appreciate the
inspiration, support, and guidance of all those people who have been instrumental in making
this project a success. I also extend my gratitude to my project guide Ms. Mamta Batra who
assisted me in compiling the project. I would also like to thank all the faculty members of the
university for their critical advice and guidance without which this project would not have
been possible. Last, but not least, I place deep gratitude on my family members and my
friends who have been a constant source of inspiration during the preparation of this project.

Priyank Yadav
2201086

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Table of Contents
DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY........................1
Acknowledgement.....................................................................2
Introduction..............................................................................4
Recent Earthquake Occurrences in India (2019–2024)..................4
India’s Earthquake-Prone Zones.................................................5
Environmental Impact and Damage............................................5
Earthquake Mitigation Measures in India....................................6
Legal and Institutional Framework:..................................................6
Urban Planning and Retrofitting:......................................................6
Capacity Building and Public Awareness:..........................................6
Early Warning and Monitoring Systems:............................................6
Building Regulations:......................................................................7
Port Authority Negligence and Coastal Seismic Risk....................7
Environmental Damage Liability and Legal Provisions.................7
Relevance of MARPOL Regulations..............................................8
Conclusion................................................................................ 8

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Introduction

Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural disasters, capable of causing enormous
damage to life, property, infrastructure, and the environment. India, due to its unique
geographical location on the seismically active Indian and Eurasian tectonic plate boundary,
is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. A large part of Northern and North-Eastern India
lies in high seismic risk zones. Over the years, the country has witnessed several moderate to
severe earthquakes that have disrupted lives and economies, highlighting the urgent need for
robust disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. This essay provides a comprehensive
account of recent earthquake occurrences in India, analyzes the associated impacts, and
discusses the structural, legal, and community-based mitigation measures implemented by the
Indian government and related stakeholders.

Recent Earthquake Occurrences in India (2019–2024)

In the last five years, India has experienced multiple earthquakes of varying intensities. One
of the most significant events was the Dhauladhar earthquake in Himachal Pradesh
(February 2023), which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale and caused significant tremors
across North India, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Though casualties were
minimal due to the remote location, it brought attention to the vulnerability of the Himalayan
region.

Similarly, North-East India, particularly the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,
witnessed frequent tremors between 2020 and 2022, including the Sonitpur earthquake (6.4
magnitude) in April 2021, which caused structural damages and led to several injuries. Other
notable events include tremors felt in Gujarat (Kutch region) in 2020, Maharashtra
(Satara and Latur regions) in 2022, and Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, where
minor to moderate seismic activity is increasingly common.

Urban centers like Delhi and Srinagar have also experienced recurrent low-magnitude
tremors, highlighting the risk faced by densely populated areas. These events, though not
always catastrophic, are a reminder of the ever-present threat posed by seismic instability in

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the subcontinent and the importance of preparedness at both governmental and community
levels.

India’s Earthquake-Prone Zones

India is divided into four seismic zones—Zone II, III, IV, and V—based on seismicity,
tectonic features, and the level of ground shaking expected. Zone V, the most seismically
active, includes the entire North-Eastern region, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand,
Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Zone IV includes parts of
Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

The high population density, unplanned urbanization, poor building standards, and lack of
awareness further exacerbate the risks in these regions. Earthquakes in these zones often lead
to large-scale destruction due to the high vulnerability of built infrastructure and poor
enforcement of building codes.

Environmental Impact and Damage

Earthquakes cause immense environmental damage, both direct and indirect. The direct
effects include landslides, soil liquefaction, cracks in the earth, and river course alterations. In
the 2021 Sonitpur earthquake, for example, there were multiple reports of landslides
disrupting connectivity in the hilly terrains of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Earthquakes
can also damage ecosystems, destroy forests, pollute water bodies, and cause long-term
degradation of arable land.

A critical yet often overlooked consequence is the release of hazardous substances due to
the rupture of industrial units, oil refineries, and chemical storage sites, especially near ports
and coastal areas. Such incidents pose serious environmental and public health risks, for
which there needs to be clear environmental liability and regulatory oversight.

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Earthquake Mitigation Measures in India

To minimize the impact of earthquakes, the Indian government has implemented several
mitigation strategies, both structural and non-structural.

Legal and Institutional Framework:

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides the legal framework for disaster
preparedness and response. The National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) have
prepared earthquake preparedness guidelines, including risk mapping, retrofitting
of buildings, and promotion of earthquake-resistant construction. The Bureau of
Indian Standards (BIS) has published building codes such as IS 1893, which
provides criteria for earthquake-resistant design of structures.

Urban Planning and Retrofitting:

Retrofitting old buildings and critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and
bridges is a key focus area. Many urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and
Guwahati have initiated building audits to identify structures at risk and recommend
safety upgrades. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to lack of
coordination among civic bodies.

Capacity Building and Public Awareness:

NDMA conducts mock drills, training sessions, and awareness campaigns in

earthquake-prone areas to educate the public and first responders. The School Safety
Programme initiated under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan includes disaster education in
school curricula.

Early Warning and Monitoring Systems:

Although earthquake prediction remains scientifically unfeasible, India has

strengthened its seismic monitoring network. The India Meteorological
Department (IMD) has over 150 seismic stations to detect tremors and provide rapid
information dissemination to disaster response agencies.

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Building Regulations:

The Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation

(URDPFI) Guidelines emphasize disaster-resilient urban planning. Despite this,
enforcement of seismic design norms in private construction remains weak,
particularly in small towns and peri-urban areas.

Port Authority Negligence and Coastal Seismic Risk

Ports located in seismic zones face a dual threat—from ground shaking and
subsequent tsunami waves, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chennai,
and Kandla. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami had devastating effects on port infrastructure
in South India, but concerns continue even in the present context.

Several ports, especially private and minor ports, lack compliance with safety audits and
environmental risk assessments. In earthquake events, the release of hazardous chemicals or
petroleum products from these facilities can cause irreversible environmental harm. There
have been instances where port authorities failed to adhere to Disaster Risk Reduction
(DRR) guidelines, raising serious questions of negligence and liability.

For example, in the Kandla Port area of Gujarat—classified as a high-risk seismic zone—
there have been reports of non-compliance with hazard zoning guidelines issued by NDMA.
Such lapses can lead to catastrophic losses during an earthquake and result in criminal and
civil liability under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and Indian Ports Act, 1908.

Environmental Damage Liability and Legal Provisions

Under Indian law, the Polluter Pays Principle, as upheld in cases like Indian Council for
Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India (1996) and Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v.
Union of India (1996), provides a framework for assigning liability in cases of
environmental damage, including those caused indirectly by earthquakes through negligence
of preparedness or safety regulations.

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The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, empowers the tribunal to adjudicate matters
related to environmental damage, including compensation and restoration in case of disasters
caused or worsened by human failure to follow safety norms. Industries located in high
seismic zones are expected to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and
prepare Disaster Management Plans (DMPs) as part of environmental clearance processes.

Relevance of MARPOL Regulations

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(MARPOL) governs pollution from maritime activity. Earthquakes near ports or offshore
facilities can rupture oil tanks, chemical storage, and shipping lines, leading to marine
pollution. Under MARPOL, such pollution incidents must be reported and contained, and
port authorities must have response mechanisms in place.

During seismic activity, any failure of containment systems resulting in pollution can attract
liability under MARPOL Annex I (oil pollution) and Annex III (hazardous substances). India,
being a MARPOL signatory, is obligated to comply. However, compliance is often lax due to
inadequate enforcement, limited resources, and bureaucratic inefficiency at the port level.
Strengthening port safety infrastructure in seismic zones is crucial to prevent environmental
disasters following earthquakes.

Conclusion

Earthquakes are an unavoidable natural phenomenon, but their impact can be significantly
reduced through comprehensive planning, technological integration, and strict enforcement of
safety norms. India has made considerable strides in establishing a legal and institutional
framework for disaster management. Yet, challenges persist in the form of non-compliance
with building codes, inadequate infrastructure in high-risk zones, and negligence by key
authorities such as ports and industries.

Environmental damage due to secondary impacts of earthquakes—especially in ecologically

sensitive or industrial regions—warrants robust enforcement of liability norms and

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international regulations like MARPOL. The integration of disaster risk reduction with
environmental protection, urban planning, and infrastructure development must be pursued
more aggressively. Only a holistic and proactive approach can safeguard India’s population,
environment, and economy from the devastating effects of future earthquakes.