Lok Sabha Question No. 2674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: Disaster Preparedness
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2674

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2015/AGRAHAYANA 24, 1937 (SAKA)

## DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

2674. SHRI NINONG ERING:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether Arunachal Pradesh and other States in the country fall under Seismic Zone-V which is very sensitive category and intense disaster can occur; and

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  details  of  disaster  preparedness  in Zone-V category States?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)    &  (b)      Yes  Madam.      Earthquake  prone  /  seismic  zones  have  been identified and mapped  under the auspices of  Bureau of Indian Standard [IS 1983 (part I); 2002]. The country is grouped into four seismic zones viz; zone-II, III, IV and V. Of these, zone V is seismically the most quake prone region,  while  zone-II  is  the  least.  The  entire  areas  of  Himalayan  region from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh lies either in seismic zone IV  or  V.    This  region  is  prone  to  earthquakes  and  related  natural calamities.

As per the National Disaster Management Policy, the primary responsibility for disaster management  rests with the States.  The preparedness measures with regard to seismic disaster is undertaken by the  State  Government  concerned,  as  they  are  primarily  responsible  for management  of  natural  disasters  including  preparedness  in  Zone  -V category  areas.    Improvement  of  disaster  preparedness  system  is  a continuous  and  evolving  process  of  governance.  Disaster  Management Act, 2005 provides for institutional mechanisms for drawing up

## L.S.U.S.Q.No. 2674 FOR 15.12.2015

and  monitoring  the  implementation  of  the  disaster  management  plans, which includes coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation in  the  country and  requires holistic  measures  by  various  wings  of Government  for  prevention,  mitigation  and  for  minimizing  the  effects  of disasters.    The  measures  as  taken  by  the  Government  of  India  and  the State Governments are expected to improve the existing disaster management practices including the preparedness, mitigation and response mechanism to deal with natural disasters more effectively  and efficiently  in  the  country  including  seismic  sensitive  Zone-V  category States/ areas.

The State Governments have taken various measures for the safety of people in the state. These include:

- Strengthening of state and district disaster management systems
- ·
- Preparation of State and district disaster management plans
- Activation of state and district level Emergency Operation Centre on 24
- X 7 basis
- Coordination with forecasting agencies viz; IMD and ISRO etc. for providing seismic/ weather specific information
- Strengthening of communication and warning dissemination network
- Setting up of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
- Pre-positioning of National Disaster Response Force and SDRF at
- vulnerable locations
- Development of alternate routes for road communication
- Pre-positioning of necessary equipment at vulnerable locations for timely clearance of debris and
- ·
- Stocking of essential supplies medicines and others

Since, there are institutional mechanisms at the National and State level for effective management of natural disasters including taking necessary measures related to earthquake, flood control and any likely events at the time of natural calamities. To ensure construction of earthquake resistance building, the building bye laws have been put in place and the implementation  of  these  is  taken  care  of  by  the  concerned  regulatory authority of the State Government.

*****