Lok Sabha Question No. 658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Incidents of Earthquakes
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

(a) and (b)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 658

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## INCIDENTS OF EARTHQUAKES

| 658.   | SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)    | whether there has been an increase in the number of incidences of earthquakes including those emanating from Nepal causing tremors especially in the northern parts of the country on regular basis;         |
| (b)    | if so, the details thereof during the last three years, year-wise along with the reasons therefor;                                                                                                           |
| (c)    | whether the Government is taking any measures to insulate the people, buildings and installations in the country from any potential damage due to the increasing earthquake related incidents in the future; |
| (d)    | if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                              |
| (e)    | if not, the reasons therefor?                                                                                                                                                                                |

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

Data indicates increase in earthquake activity in the year 2023 and it was mainly attributed to the activation of the Almora fault in Western Nepal. This activation triggered  significant  mainshock  earthquakes  on  January  24,  2023  (M:5.8), October  3,  2023  (M:6.2),  and  November  3,  2023  (M:6.4).  These  mainshocks, accompanied by subsequent aftershocks, have led to an increased frequency of earthquakes  in  the  year  2023.  However,  the  background  seismicity  remained unchanged during this period.

It is common for northern India and Nepal to occasionally experience moderate earthquakes,  and  fluctuations  in  seismic  activity.    Nepal  and  the  neighbouring northern part of India, situated near the active faults of the Himalayan region, are highly  seismically  active  areas  prone  to  frequent  earthquakes  due  to  collision tectonics, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate.

The  details  of  earthquake  occurrences  (for  Magnitude  3.0  and  above)  in  these regions  as  recorded  by  National  Center  for  Seismology,  New  Delhi  during  the last 3 years and the current year are given below:

|                            | Number of earthquakes during the period   | Number of earthquakes during the period   | Number of earthquakes during the period   | Number of earthquakes during the period   |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Earthquake Magnitude range | Year 2020                                 | Year 2021                                 | Year 2022                                 | January to Nov. 2023                      |
| 3.0 to 3.9 42              |                                           | 41                                        | 41                                        | 97                                        |
| 4.0 to 4.9 18              |                                           | 18                                        | 20                                        | 21                                        |
| 5.0 to 5.9 1               |                                           | 1                                         | 3                                         | 4                                         |
| 6.0 to 6.9 0               |                                           | 0                                         | 1                                         | 2                                         |

- (c) and (d) Yes Sir, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published the Seismic Zoning Map of India, ranging from Zone II to Vand offers guidelines for implementing the  essential  engineering  codes  and  practices  to  construct  earthquake-resistant buildings.  The  National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA)  has  been responsible agency for various precautionary measures such as earthquake drills, awareness programs, earthquake management, etc., to enhance preparedness and response to earthquake related incidents.
- (e) Does not arise.

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