Earthquakes in India: causes, risks, preparedness and what every reader should know

Earthquakes are one of India’s most destructive natural hazards. They occur without much warning, can cause large-scale loss of life and property, and disrupt services for weeks or months. This article explains — using verified sources — what earthquakes are, why they happen in India, how they are measured, recent and historical context, and practical, evidence-based steps households, institutions and policymakers should take to reduce risk.

What is an earthquake (simple, verified definition)

An earthquake is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that produces seismic waves. That energy is usually released when rocks along a fault break or slip past one another under tectonic stress. The size of an earthquake is described by magnitude (a single number that reflects the energy released) and its effects at specific locations are measured by intensity scales (which describe shaking and damage). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) notes that moment-magnitude (Mw) is the modern standard for measuring earthquake size.

Why earthquakes happen in India — the tectonic context

India sits on the Indian tectonic plate, which is colliding northwards with the Eurasian plate. That ongoing collision built the Himalaya and continues to store elastic strain that is released in large earthquakes. In the northeast and Himalayan belt, the main driver is thrust faulting associated with plate collision; in the peninsular shield and Andaman region, other tectonic processes (including reactivated ancient faults and subduction-zone activity offshore) can produce damaging quakes. Seismologists emphasise that different regions of India are vulnerable for different reasons.

How earthquakes are measured and reported

• Magnitude: Moment-magnitude (Mw) gives the best estimate of an earthquake’s size and energy release; it supersedes the original Richter scale for modern seismology. An earthquake’s magnitude is a single value and is logarithmic — each whole-number step represents about 32 times more energy.
• Intensity: The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) or similar scales describe shaking and damage at particular sites; intensity varies by distance from the epicentre, depth, and local ground conditions.
• Monitoring and alerts: In India, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) (under the Ministry of Earth Sciences) is the nodal agency that monitors seismic activity, issues bulletins and posts rapid earthquake information online and on social platforms. The USGS provides an independent catalogue and analysis for global events.

Where India is most at risk — seismic zones and historical precedent

India’s official seismic zoning (used in design codes) divides the country into zones that reflect expected seismicity; recent Indian codes and standards use a four-zone map (Zones II–V) with Zone V being the most seismically active. Building-code rules (IS 1893 and the National Building Code) require structures in higher-risk zones to follow stronger earthquake-resistant design specifications.

Historical earthquakes that underline India’s exposure include major, well-documented events such as the 1905 Kangra quake, the 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake, the 1897 Shillong event, the 1950 Assam quake, the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake — all of which caused heavy loss of life and infrastructure damage in their regions. These events demonstrate that both the Himalaya and other parts of India have produced very large earthquakes in the past.

Human and economic impacts — what earthquakes do

Earthquakes cause immediate structural damage (collapsing buildings, bridges and roads), secondary hazards (fires, landslides, tsunamis for offshore quakes) and long-term disruption (power, water, healthcare and supply chains). Vulnerability depends on building quality, population density, time of day, and preparedness — which is why retrofitting, resilient design and community planning matter. International and Indian experience shows that the same magnitude quake can cause very different outcomes depending on preparedness and construction standards.

What Indian households and communities should do — evidence-based guidance

Prepare now; earthquakes give little warning. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and related agencies provide practical checklists. Key actions:

Before a quake

• Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and large appliances; fasten shelves and move breakables to low shelves.
• Identify safe spots in each room (under sturdy tables, against interior walls), and practice “Drop, Cover, Hold On.”
• Prepare an emergency kit with water (3–5 days), nonperishable food, torch, batteries, first-aid kit, essential medicines, copies of ID and cash.
• Know local evacuation routes and the location of stomping-in community emergency shelters.
• Ensure a family communication plan (meeting point, emergency contacts).

During a quake

• Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or against an inside wall, and hold on until shaking stops. Stay away from glass, windows and tall furniture that can topple. If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines. If in a vehicle, stop safely and stay inside until shaking ends.

After a quake

• Expect aftershocks. Check for injuries and danger (gas leaks, fire), provide first aid, and follow official instructions from local authorities. Avoid entering damaged buildings until structural safety is confirmed. Use text messages or social media to conserve phone networks for emergency calls.

What governments, builders and cities should do (policy and engineering)

• Enforce and update building codes: Design and enforcement according to BIS/IS 1893 and the National Building Code reduces collapse risk. Retrofitting vulnerable public buildings (schools, hospitals) in high-risk zones should be a priority.
• Land-use planning and hazard mapping: Avoid critical infrastructure on known fault lines, unstable slopes or liquefaction-prone soils. Use seismic microzonation maps for urban planning.
• Early warning & monitoring systems: India’s national seismological network (NCS) provides rapid detection; for offshore tsunamigenic earthquakes, timely ocean-based and modelling systems (like INCOIS’s tsunami service) are essential. Investment in dense sensors, telemetry and interoperable emergency communication is important.
• Public awareness and drills: Regular earthquake drills in schools, offices and residential communities increase survival rates and reduce panic. NDMA materials are designed for public outreach and IEC (information, education and communication).

Insurance, recovery and economics

Earthquake insurance penetration in India is limited. Where available, standard homeowner or commercial property insurance riders cover seismic damage; governments typically fund initial disaster response and reconstruction. Including seismic risk in urban resilience financing, encouraging retrofits with incentives, and fast, transparent post-quake damage assessment speeds recovery. International experience shows that pre-agreed reconstruction standards and contingency funds reduce long-term economic loss.

How to follow reliable, real-time information during an earthquake

• National Center for Seismology (NCS) posts rapid earthquake bulletins and felt-reports for India. Follow NCS’s official feeds for verified seismic event information.
• NDMA provides preparedness material, do’s and don’ts, and offiial recovery guidance.
• USGS & international agencies offer independent catalogues and scientific interpretations for major global events. Use these alongside national bulletins for context.

Final takeaway — preparedness saves lives

Earthquakes cannot be prevented, but much of the human toll can be reduced with good building design, community preparedness, rapid seismological monitoring, and clear public guidance. For individual families: prepare an emergency kit, secure your home, learn “Drop, Cover and Hold On,” and stay informed via official NCS/NDMA channels. For policymakers and builders: enforce seismic-resistant codes, retrofit critical structures, fund monitoring networks and run public-education campaigns — these actions save lives and reduce long-term economic loss.

Also read:Bhavish Aggarwal Visionary Entrepreneur, Now Under Legal Spotlight

Last Updated on: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 2:48 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 2:48 pm | News Categories: News

About The Author