Need for precautionary measures against quake disaster stressed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, November 12 2012:
In Manipur, the state Government along with the people needs to take quake precautionary measures because the state ranks the fifth position in the Seismic Zone list as said by Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), a scientist at Seismological Observatory, Manipur University, stated on Monday.
Manipur is also in the sixth position among seismic regions in the world, apart from being a territory located between Indian plate and Burmese plate and as a result the state is at risk, scientist Dr Manichandra told Newmai News Network.
He, however, insisted that despite being a quake prone state it is not necessary to worry too much as the Northeast experiences only low magnitude quakes that occur frequently.
This phenomenon is caused by ceaseless movement of the Indian plate into the Burmese plate.
On average, the Indian plate moves into the Burmese plate 4 cm per year, Dr Manichandra said.
He also said low magnitude quakes produce low intensity energy.
The collision of the two plates slowly releases the energy that cannot cause high magnitude quake.
The biggest ever quake measuring 8.7 Richter scale that jolted the entire Northeast occurred in 1950 when it hit Arunachal Pradesh.
No quake that similar to that of 1950 has ever shaken the region till today.
However, according to the recurrence theory of earthquake, it is said that after a powerful quake another high magnitude quake recurs after 50 years.
There is no any prove to say that such quake will not happen again, he added.
Because of the above reason, the state Government needs to prepare a micro- seismic zonation map besides keeping one seismograph each in every districts of the state, he suggested.
He also suggested that every individuals to add seismic resistant design in building houses.
Currently, there are only three seismographs in Manipur-one each at MU, Hundung, Ukhrul and Toribari, Kangpokpi in Senapati district.
Mr Manichandra further admitted that among the RCC buildings in the state belonging to both the Government and private individuals a single building equipped with the seismic resistant design has been found.
"It is right time for us to understand that such design, which may increase only 10-15 percent of building construction cost, can easily safe life," he added.