Earthquake: Earth shakes 50 times in a year in Himachal, 1300 earthquakes in 100 years

Rajendra Sharma

Shimla. Himachal Pradesh earthquake (Earthquake) In terms of this, it comes in a very sensitive zone. Terrible memories of the devastating earthquake in the year 1905 in the last century still create panic. The people of the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh often live in fear of earthquakes. Himachal falling in the fifth zone sensitive to earthquakes (Himachal Pradesh) In 2022, more than 50 small and big earthquakes have occurred. Even before that, in the last months of 2021, earthquakes have occurred six times in October and November.

Being a hilly state, a major earthquake would prove disastrous for Himachal. But experts say that with awareness and vigilance, damage during an earthquake can be minimized. Experts say that construction of earthquake resistant houses should be encouraged in high risk areas. Along with this, government and voluntary organizations should organize awareness camps in schools and panchayats at regular intervals. According to the officials of the state government, all the districts have been instructed to organize mock drills from time to time. Many voluntary organizations organize awareness camps privately, to which the government provides all possible help.

Earthquake coming for a long time, but no damage

It is a matter of relief for Himachal that there has been no loss of life or property in any earthquake for a long time. Experts also believe that if earthquakes of low intensity continue to occur at regular intervals, then the chances of a major earthquake may also be less. Many times there has been discussion among the general public that the earthquake of 1905 may be repeated. It was considered possible after a gap of hundred years, but fortunately Himachal is safe from such calamity. In a state like Himachal, the role of the government is more important. Training to make earthquake resistant houses should be given at Panchayat level. Pamphlets should also be circulated on measures to protect oneself in case of an earthquake.

Doli earth most often in four districts

Shimla district including Chamba-Kangra and Kinnaur in Himachal has relatively more earthquakes. It has been seen that no earthquake of great intensity has occurred in a decade. But Himachal always needs to be alert. Chamba district felt an earthquake in the beginning of the year 2021 itself. There was an earthquake of magnitude 3.2 in Chamba on January 6 in the district. Meanwhile, three earthquakes occurred in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu and Bilaspur in one night in the month of January itself. There was an earthquake in Shimla on the 13th of February. Similarly, in the month of April, on 5th and 16th, panic spread in Chamba and Lahaul Spiti due to the movement inside the earth. There was an earthquake in Mandi on April 22 last year as well. There was an earthquake in Dharamshala on the 8th of May. Since Himachal Pradesh is a Himalayan state, the effect of a major earthquake occurring anywhere in the Himalayan range will be seen here in Himachal.

Big shock in the market

For example, in the month of February 2022, heavy tremors of earthquake were felt in North India at night. At that time its first center was Tajikistan and the second center was Amritsar area of ​​Punjab. This earthquake was so heavy that its tremors were also felt in Himachal’s Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Kangra Kullu, Chamba and Bilaspur districts. In the month of March, there were tremors of natural calamity three times in three days. Low intensity tremors occurred in Kinnaur and Chamba. Four earthquakes occurred within 24 hours in the month of November, this time people are more scared. Because the shock in Mandi district has been huge.

Earth shook in Dharamshala and panic in Manali

Even in the year 2020, the earth kept trembling many times. Before that, on 20 December 2019, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan. Whose effect was also visible in Kullu, Una and Kangra. In 2022, on January 9, the Kareri lake of Kangra became the epicenter of the earthquake, and its tremors were also felt in Manali. In such a situation, it is clear that mild tremors are coming in Himachal after some intervals. Himachal Pradesh has been prone to earthquakes since its inception. If we look at the record of a decade, in the last decade from 2006 to 2016, a total of 75 earthquakes occurred in the hill state of Himachal during a period of 10 years. In Chamba and Lahaul Spiti, the earth rocked most of the times. Out of these 75 earthquakes, the intensity of 40 was less than 4 on the Richter scale. During this, Himachal has been the epicenter of earthquakes 60 times, while tremors have been felt in Himachal fifteen times due to the epicenter of earthquakes in Nepal, Jammu-Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the last ten years, 42 percent of the earthquakes in Himachal have been centered in Chamba district and Chamba’s border with Jammu and Kashmir.

The border with Jammu and Kashmir is the epicenter of earthquakes 23 percent of the time.

There are two tribal districts in Himachal. Apart from Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur, some areas of Chamba are also tribal. Himachal is bordered by the hill state of Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir on the other side. According to experts’ assessment, Lahaul Spiti district and the border with Jammu and Kashmir has been the epicenter of earthquakes 23 percent of the time. Kangra (eight per cent), Kinnaur (five per cent), Mandi (six per cent), Shimla (six per cent) and Solan (two per cent) have also been epicenters of earthquakes. Himachal has very sad memories of earthquake. In the last century, on April 4, 1905, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Kangra, in which more than 20 thousand people lost their lives. In the year 1906, on February 28, an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 occurred in Kullu. The way there was an earthquake in Kangra in 1905, if this earthquake occurs in today’s time, the damage would increase 50 times.

what the experts say

Principal Scientific Officer SS Randhawa says that building should be constructed under disaster management rules. Apart from this, whenever there is an earthquake, go completely in the open. Water and torch should be kept around you while sleeping at night. The first thing to do in case of an earthquake is to protect yourself. Earthquakes that occur at night are more painful. There is a problem in relief and rescue operations at night. In the event of a disaster, first of all the machinery of the district administration should be trained. He says that in cities like Shimla and Solan, unscientific and haphazard construction is creating dire situations. Unfortunately, if an earthquake of great intensity occurs, there will be a lot of difficulty in the relief and rescue work.

The land of Himachal shook 1300 times in the last 100 years

If we talk about the last 100 years, then the land of Himachal suffered about 1300 earthquakes. Out of these, the intensity of 141 tremors was 3 to 3.9 on the Richter scale, 22 tremors were of intensity 4 to 4.9 and 43 tremors were of intensity 5 to 5.9, not only this, seven tremors of magnitude 6 to 6.9, which are considered destructive, have also hit Himachal Pradesh. Withstand More than this, the intensity of an earthquake was measured as 8 on the Richter scale. Which came in Kangra district in 1905.

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