Lucknow: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a new seismic zone map on 28 November 2025. Some pictures of this map may scare you too. Yes…In this map, information about the dangers caused by earthquakes across the country is given. The biggest change in this map is that for the first time the entire Himalayan region has been placed in ‘Zone-VI’ i.e. the most dangerous zone. At the same time, many cities of UP have been included in Zone-5 and Zone-4. Let us understand in simple language why this change was necessary? Why was the new zone created? What effect will this have on people and buildings?
90 year old story of earthquake zone map
The first earthquake map of India was prepared by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 1935. It was created after observing the major earthquake of 1934, in which the country was divided into three categories – severe, mild and moderate danger. BIS changed it several times over time.
1962: 6 zones
1966: 7 zones
1970: 5 zones (I to V)
All these old maps were based on areas where earthquakes had previously occurred, but now they were considered to lack scientific accuracy. However, now the new map has been prepared entirely on scientific data, activity of fault lines and computer modeling.
How was the new map made?
The new map is based on Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA). In simple words, scientists used computer models to estimate the impact of the largest earthquake with a 2.5% probability in the next 50 years. It included…
- Records of old and recent earthquakes
- nature of land and rocks
- active fault lines
- Ground shaking during earthquake (PGA)
- Tectonic plate movement (Indian plate is moving 5 cm north every year)
In the old maps, zones were changed based on the presence of cities or industries, but the new map is based only on scientific data. For the first time, an exposure window has also been added, which also takes into account the risk of population density and economic potential.
In the seismic zone map released by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), many cities of UP like Bahraich, Saharanpur, Rampur have now been included in Zone-5 i.e. very high danger area. Whereas Noida and Ghaziabad have been kept in Zone-4, where the risk of earthquake is considered higher than before. This new map is not just to scare people but to wake them up. Because, we cannot stop earthquakes, but we can strengthen our preparedness.
Which are the most dangerous zones of earthquake?
Zone-6 (most dangerous)
Agartala, Bhuj, Chandigarh, Darjeeling, Leh, Mandi, Panchkula, Shimla, Shillong
Zone-5 (very high risk)
Ambala, Amritsar, Bahraich, Jalandhar, Karnal, Saharanpur, Rampur
What are the new zones?
There were four zones in the old map—II, III, IV, V.
The new 2025 map has five—II, III, IV, V, and the new VI.
| zone | threat level | how much share |
| Zone II | Very little | 11% |
| Zone III | Middle | 30% |
| Zone IV | High | 18% |
| Zone V | quite high | 11% |
| Zone VI | The most | entire Himalayan region |
75% population in earthquake areas
75% of the country’s population now lives in active earthquake zones. Delhi, Dehradun and cities near the Himalayas will be most affected. Many areas of Uttar Pradesh have also now come under high risk areas. Experts say that this map not only looks at the danger of the land, but also looks at the population in an area and how sensitive the buildings are. In such a situation, it will become necessary to strengthen building construction rules and old buildings in entire North India including UP.
What needs to be done now?
1. Strict rules for new buildings
In Zone-VI the foundation will have to be strengthened by 50%.
The quantity of steel will have to be doubled.
Non-structural parts like roof, water tanks, lifts require strong anchoring.
2. Strengthening old buildings (retrofitting)
Priority to government buildings, schools, hospitals.
3. Rules for new colonies
Avoiding construction on soft soil and river banks.
4. Safety measures for people
home emergency kit
earthquake drill
Information about safe places
