NEW DELHI, May 10 � Against the backdrop of the Nepal earthquake, a Parliamentary panel has emphasised taking up �microzonation� of major cities in the country falling in high seismic zones without delay to mitigate the consequences of a potential temblor, reports PTI.
Microzonation usually means mapping of areas according to their susceptibility to damage in the event of an earthquake.
The panel, in its report tabled in Parliament last week, recommended initiating �purposive measures� in this regard in consultation with the State governments and stakeholders.
The recommendation of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology came as it took note of the �importance of microzonation of cities on account of vulnerability of India�s land to severe earthquakes�.
The recommendation also assumes significance in the light of the large-scale casualty witnessed in the Nepal quake, with close to 8,000 people losing their lives so far.
The committee in particular laid emphasis on taking up expeditiously microzonation of cities falling in seismic zones V, IV and III.
�Necessary geophysical, geological and other information should be acquired from the Geological Survey of India so that delay in microzonation of cities is avoided,� it said.
Under microzonation, a region is subdivided into zones with respect to some geological and geophysical characteristics of the sites such as ground shaking, landslide and rock fall hazard, so that seismic hazards at different locations within the area can correctly be identified.
Microzonation also provides the basis for site-specific risk analysis, which can assist in the mitigation of earthquake damage, the standing committee said.
