#NewDelhi is in High Risk due to Disasters – #earthquake

1. Delhi is in Seismic Zone-IV which is the second highest risk zone for disasters.
2. Fire incidents are very common for Delhi. Most of the buildings and office & commercial complexes will fail in fire risk audit if done by any independent agency.
3. Terror Strike & Bomb blast are another area of major concern for Delhi. Despite many incidents of the past. Delhi seems indifferent towards preparedness on this front.
4. Areas near Yamuna river are in danger of flooding. Encroachment of river flood plain may prove disastrous for Delhi.
5. Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi are the area of major concern due to earthquake. Any earthquake with epicenter near Delhi will be catestrophic for Delhi as majority of the houses in such colonies will not withstand the tremors. Casualty may be in lakhs if an earthquake of magnitude like recent Nepal earthquake strikes Delhi region.
6. Industrial & Chemical disasters for Delhi is also an area of major concern.
7. Schools in Delhi which are the most populated complexes are NIL prepared towards disasters.
8. Delhi is not having a workable & comprehensive State Disaster Management Plan yet.
9. District Disaster Management Plans of 11 districts in Delhi are also theoretical in nature and lack ground level facts. In case of any disaster these plans will not work at all.
10. Building collapse is also a major issue for due due to unauthorised constructions. It is said that almost 80% of the buildings in Delhi do not conform National Building Code. Even life line buildings in Delhi like hospitals, schools, Govt Departments may not withstand any major earthquake.
11. Capacity of hospitals to handle mass casualty is another vulnerable area for Delhi. Hospitals are not prepared at all to handle major disasters. Neither buildings nor manpower will be able to handle such large scale emergencies.