Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot...

73 International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84

#02040108 Copyright © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.

Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A

Pilot Project in Hyderabad City, India

RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR Earthquake Engg Research Centre, IIIT Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 032, India

Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: Earthquake problems in India need no introduction. Some of the great

earthquakes of the world occurred in India and neighbourhood areas. During past two

decades, India has witnessed 7 moderate earthquakes which caused large number of

casualties and innumerable property loss. Most of these losses are due to poor quality of

construction and generally low level of awareness of the earthquake hazard prevalent in the

country. In this regard, there is a need for coordinated and sustained effort towards

earthquake risk reduction in the country. This can be achieved through education and

awareness building. In general, sensitization programmes are required to build awareness

at all levels, however, it is most important at school level because they Prepare the future

generations from early age. It is necessary to prepare simple reading material so that

children can understand the problems at an early age itself. In this paper, we are discussing

our effort in organizing earthquake day in 50 schools. Initially 50 schools in Hyderabad city

were selected and on an average around 100 school children ranging from 8th to 10

standard were sensitized in each school. Total duration of the programme was 18 months.

On school earthquake day, planned activities are as follows:

Session I : Introduction to earthquakes through animated short videos

Session II : Explanation of awareness generating experimental models

Session III : Explanation of information posters related to disaster preparedness

Session IV : Explanation of preparation of earthquake safety kits

Session V : Earthquake quiz and puzzle games related to disasters

The models and material used for demonstration was given to school for their future use.

Overall the programme was successful and we received excellent feedback from schools.

Figure 1: Casualties during Past Earthquakes

74 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering


Introduction:

Earthquake problems in India need no

introduction. Some of the great earthquakes

of the world occurred in India and

neighbourhood areas. From figure 1 we can

easily understand that during last two

decades we have witnessed 6 moderate

earthquakes: Bihar-Nepal border (M6.4) in

1988, Uttarkashi, Uttaranchal (M6.6) in

1991, Latur, Maharastra (M6.3) in 1993,

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M6.0) in 1997,

Chamoli, Uttaranchal (M6.8) in 1999, Bhuj,

Gujarat (M6.9) in 2001 and Muzzafarabad,

Kashmir (M7.2) in 2005. In addition to the

above, we have also witnessed severe loss

due to tsunami which was the result of

Sumatra, Indonesia (M9.3) earthquake. If

we clearly observe then we can notice that

for every 3 or 4 years one earthquake

event. Also, 4 years passed sine the last

event. Are we ready to face another event?

Also, according to latest seismic zonation

map given in IS: 1893: 2002, (see figure 2,

reference 1) more than 60% of India is

prone to earthquakes. Metropolitan cities

like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai,

Ahmedabad etc., lie in zone III or above.

Not only are these cities but many other

cities in India are prone to moderate to

severe earthquakes. Will the structures

constructed in these areas withstand next

event? If we look at the trend from past 15

years, urbanization is rapidly increasing and

due to increase in land cost, many

multistoried structures are being

constructed. We must ensure that

earthquake forces are considered while

designing these structures.

Figure 2: Seismic Zontation as per IS 1893:2002

75 Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot Project in

Hyderabad City, India



Otherwise the damage will be catastrophic.

Besides mitigation, earthquake

preparedness is also very imporant. In this

regard, there is a need for coordinated and

sustained effort towards earthquake risk

reduction in the country. This can be

achieved through education and awareness

building. In general, sensitization

programmes are required to build

awareness at all levels, however, it is most

important at school level because they

prepare the future generations from early

age. It is necessary to prepare simple

reading material so that children can

understand the problems at an early age

itself. In this paper we first describe the

seismic vulnerability of Andhra Pradesh by

high- lighting the past earthquake events.

Later we describe the need for organizing

the sensitizing programme in Hyderabad

city. Followed by that we describe our

efforts in preparing some innovative

teaching material focussed on school

children. Next we discuss our plan of

programme implementation and followed by

that we give feedback from participants.

Seismic Vulnerability of Andhra

Pradesh:

Andhra Pradesh, one of the major states of

India is located in central part of Peninsular

Indian Shield. Though Peninsular Region

considered to be stable has been

experiencing major damaging Earthquakes

for the last few decades. As the Indian plate

hitting against the mass of the Eurasian

plate, which is situated in the north, inter

plate movement occurring in weak planes

along existing fault in peninsular region lead

to earthquakes. According to seismic

zonation of India given in IS 1893 2002

(Criteria for earthquake resistant design of

structure), 34% of Andhra Pradesh (AP) falls

in zone III which is having the possibility of

earthquakes up to intensity VII (MSK) or

more. The recent Latur Earthquake of 1993

and Jabalpur earthquake of 1997 have

proven that the faults in peninsular region

are active and can cause earthquakes.

Active zones in the state are the Eastern

Ghat belt and Godavari Valley. Recorded

seismic history of Andhra Pradesh shows

that the state has experienced earthquake

of magnitude up to 5.7 on the Richter scale

i.e., Vizianagaram (M5.5 1917, Ongole

(M5.4, 1967) and Badrachalam (M5.7

1969). Though not much of damage

occurred due to these events, the

earthquake in Killari (M6.3 1993) brought to

the forefront the possibility of high risk to

urban areas of Andhra Pradesh, where

building construction activity is growing at

phenomenal rate. And also according to IS

1893-2002 the state is in the proximity of

zone III areas of Maharastra, Orissa,

Tamilnadu and Karnataka apart from being

near to Andaman & Nicobar Islands which

fall in zone V. The other major concern for

Andhra Pradesh is its long coast line along

Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal) which has

very active faults. The recent Tsunami which

hit south Indian coastal areas and southeast

Asia caused due to earthquake of magnitude

9.3 in Indonesia (26 December 2004) and

the following earthquake in Andaman and

Nicobar Islands brings out the interface

activity of Indian plate and Burma plate.

Major urban centers of the state with

mushrooming apartments and commercial

complexes are Hyderabad (Zone II) with

population over 7.5 million, Visakapatnam

(zone II) with population of over 2.0 million

and Vijayawada (zone III) with population

over 1.8 million. Other important towns

which fall in zone III are Tirupati, Nellore

and Cuddapah.

Active Faults in AP:

The main tectonically active zones in the

state are Eastern Ghat belt and Godavary

river valley. The Gundlakamma Fault which

extends in a NW-SE direction front near

Ongole on the coast running inland for about

100km and kaddam Fault which runs in

parts on northern Andhra Pradesh are

known active faults. Several minor faults

zones also exist near Hyderabad, Chitoor,

Venukonda, Vizianagaram and

Vishakapatnam. However it must be noted

that proximity to fault does not imply higher

hazard. Factors such as subsurface geology

and the construction practices define the

level of hazard. List of faults (GSI 2000)




with distance range from Hyderabad is given

below:

1. Faults within 100 km range:

• Musi Lineament

2. Faults between 100 - 200 km range:

• Kadam Fault

• Kinnerasani-Godavari Fault

• Kolleru Fault

• Tintini Fault

• Raichur Nagarkurnool Fault

• Krishna River Fault

• Nallavagu Fault

• Nikkantivagu Fault

• Rudravagu Fault

• Bhavanasi Fault

3. Faults between 200-400 km range:

• Gundlakamma Fault

• Latur Lineament

• Upper Godavari Fault

• Gani Kalva Fault

• Chandragutti Kurnool Lineament

• Addanki Nujiveedu Fault

• Pyapalli Fault

• Atmakur Fault

4. Faults between 400-500 km range:

• Dharma Tungabhadra fault

• Kumadavati Narihalla Fault

• Wajrakarur Fault

• Payapalli Fault

• Gudekota Rampura Fault

• Vedavati Lineament

• Bukkapatnam Fault

• Bhadra Lineament

• Chikmagalur Fault

• Yagchi Fault

• Chitradurga Boundary Fault

• Bir Lineament

• Latur Lineament

• Purna Fault

• Kadam Fault

• Godavari Valley Fault

Significant Earthquakes:

Many of the towns in the state have number

of recorded earthquakes in the last 200

years (records available from 1800

onwards). However the major urban centers

having more than 2 earthquake incidents in

the last 200 years are Hyderabad,

Visakapatnam, Guntur, Nellore,

Vizianagaram, Ongole, Kothagudam,

Badrachalam and Venukonda. Vizianagaram

earthquake of 1917 (M 5.5), Ongole

earthquake of 1967 (M 5.4) connected with

Eastern Ghat and Badrachalam earthquake

of 13 April 1969 (M 5.7 and Intensity VII)

connected to Godavary valley are the

significant earthquakes recorded. Most of

the other recorded earthquakes in the state

are of small category. Ongole town with

population of 1.5 lakh has 14 number of

recorded earthquakes in the last 200 years

out of which 12 is recorded between 1950 to

2000 period. The largest recorded

magnitude was M5.4 in 1967.

Need for the Programme in Hyderabad:

As per the 2001 census the AP state has a

population of 75.73 million in which 27.08%

are living in urban areas. There are total of

210 towns in which 98 towns are having

population of more than 50,000 and half of

them have a population of one lakh and

above. The major fast growing urban

agglomeration areas in the state are

covered under Urban Development

Authorities jurisdiction. Each of the Urban

Development Authorities has Municipalities

and Grampanchayats within. Hyderabad

Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is the

biggest urban development authority with

an area of 1864 km2. It has 10

municipalities and 105 gram panchayats in

it. Population of Hyderabad at present is

over 75 lakhs. Growing opportunities, better

health care and good education is attracting

many people from rural areas to Hyderabad.

In this regard, there is a need to built a

proper disaster management system.

Besides mitigation, awareness &

preparedness is also important. In general,

sensitization programmes are required to

build awareness at all levels, however, it is

most important at school level because they

prepare the future generations from early

age. A plan to organize school earthquake

day to sensitize students between 8th to

10th standard in schools in Hyderabad

towards earthquakes and related disasters.

Initially 50 schools in Hyderabad were

selected and on an average around 100

school children were sensitized in each





school. Total duration of the programme

was 18 months. On school earthquake day,

planned activities are as follows:

Components of the Programme:

There are 4 components in this programme,

viz

• Animated Short Videos

• Experimental Models

• Information Posters

• Earthquake Safety Kits

Animated short videos (Telugu, Urdu,

Hindi and English):

This is in the form of a CD. This CD contains

four modules and each modules, viz. (see

figure 3)

Basics of plate tectonics of India:

This module explains the details of

continental drift and movement of Indian

plate. It explains the formation of Himalayan

mountains. It also discusses about the

current seismic hazard and risk in different

parts of country.

Figure 3: Animated Short Videos CD

Earthquake Book for Kids:

This electronic book describes about

earthquake in a simple and lucid language

and with lots of cartoons & animations. This

will create some interest among children to

know more about earthquakes. While

explaining the concepts the earthquakes it

also entertains the kids.




Tsunami: The Science behind Killer

Waves:

This module covers Tsunami. Earthquake

process under the sea and origin of

Tsunamigenic waves is picturized. How

tsunamis can be detected and the

technology behind tsunami warning system

is shown.

Behaviour of Buildings:

Earthquakes became popular because of the

destruction they cause to the society. This

destruction is mainly due to the collapse of

structures. Only those structures will be

collapsed which come under the frequency

range of that of earthquake. This module

explains the building behavior and collapse

process.

Experiments/Models Explaining

Earthquake Process:

All these models are made with wood and

some simple mechanical and battery

operated devices (see figure 4)

Faults and Fault Motion:

These are the blocks of wooden pieces cut to

size. Through this types of faults, origin of

earthquakes and how earthquake waves are

spread can be explained. Sponge model

shows the process of foreshocks, main event

and aftershocks.

Build your Seismograph:

What is Richter Scale? Is it a physical scale

or a number coming out of a mathematical

expression? This doubts of students can be

clarified using the seismograph model. A live

vibration/disturbance can be recorded on

the paper.

Behaviour of Buildings:

This experiment shows the behaviour of

building models kept of vibrating base. How

each building is vibrating severely can be

seen.

Base Isolation Technique:

In some advanced countries vibration

control techniques are used to safeguard the

buildings from damaging earthquakes. Some

of those techniques are explained and a

experimental model using base isolation

technique will be prepared. In this

experiment we use wooden pieces and

rubber balls.

Information Posters:

Information posters are used to explain

information on various aspects before,

during and after any disaster. It helped

children to interact with each other more

and ask doubts if they have not understood

any portion of the poster. Since these

posters are prepared in A0 size it is helping

school authorities in organizing occassional

drills for the safety of childres. Following are

the information posters are prepared: (see

figure 5)

• Do’s and don’ts

• Emergency rescue information

• Fire fighting information

• First Aid information

Figure 4: Experimental Models





Figure 5: Information Posters




Figure 6: Disaster Safety Kit

Earthquake Safety Kits:

Create a small kit that suits your needs in

case you need to evacuate your house after

an earthquake. Add a bottle of water that

will last you a couple days along with your

favorite food bars. Include a small card with

phone numbers of relatives and close friends

as emergency contacts. Put in a battery

operated radio, flashlight, (check that you

have fresh batteries), a blanket, a whistle,

any special medication you may need, and

some clothes. Your family should also have

a big earthquake kit with all the family

needs, from water to food. (see figure 6)

Programme Implementation:

Initially chief coordinator and project

associate visited, Director, State Board of

Technical Education and Training (SBTET)

and Director School Education for explaining

the importance of the school awareness

programme and also seek advice in its

implementation. Letters will be sent to

various polytechnic colleges and schools

regarding the programme for nomination of

lecturers and school teachers. Polytechnic

colleges and school responded positively.

Later, project assistants visited, polytechnic

colleges and identified 2 lecturers from each

college. A total of 17 lecturers undergone 5-

day training programme at IIIT Hyderabad.

Later with the help of lecturers we identified

100 school teachers. All these teachers were

trained on the material for 2 days at IIIT

Hyderabad. Lastly school earthqauake day

was organized in 50 schools.

List of Schools Participated:

• Quthbullapur area:

ZPHS Dundigal, ZPHS Jagathgirigutta, ZPHS

Gurumurthy Nagar, ZPHS Quthbullapur

• Kukatpally area:

ZPHS Kukatpally, ZPHS bala nagar, Sanga

Mitra School Nizampet Road, Dav Public

School, Vivekanand Nagar Colony, Vignan

Vidyalayam School Nizampet Road

• Hayath Nagar area:

ZPHS Hayath Nagar

• Malkajgiri area:

ZPHS (B) Malkajgiri, ZPHS (G) Malkajigiri

• Rajendra nagar area:

ZPHS Attapur, ZPHS Shivaram Pally, ZPHS

Hydersha Kote, ZPHS Manikonda, ZPHS

Narsinghi, GHS Rajendra Nagar

• Saroor nagar area:

ZPHS L B Nagar, ZPHS Saroor Nagar, ZPHS

Karmanghat,

• Seri lingampalli area:

ZPHS Seri Lingampalli, ZPHS Kothaguda,

ZPHS Lingampally (G), ZPHS Darga Hussain

Shavali, ZPHS Miyapur, Vidyanjali High

School Doyens Township, ZPHS Khajaguda,

University Of Hyderabad Campus School,

Vidya Niketan Model High School TaraNagar,

Navodaya High School, Sri Vijayabharathi

High School Indira Nagar, Sri Rama High





School Sri Ram Nagar, Bharatiya Vidya

Bhavan Public School BHEL Township,

Sarada High School Gem Maruthi

Showroom, Sri Goutam Grammer High

School Kothaguda, Swathi High School

Madhapur,

• Uppal area:

ZPHS Uppal, Oasis School, raidurg,

Nagarjuna High School raidurg

• Jubilee Hills area:

Jubilee hills Public School, P Obul Reddy

Public School, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s

Public School, Sultan-Ul-Uloom Public School

• Chanda nagar area:

Saraswathi Vidya Mandir, Lotus National

School, Vidya Vani High School Huda

Colony,

• Mehdipatnam area:

Governament High School Vijayanagar

colony, G. Pulla Reddy High School Some

glimpses of the programme are shown

below: Figure 7 clockwise from top:

Explanation of physical models, explanation

of how to use fire extinguishers, explanation

of posters and fire fighting drill.

Figure 7: Demonstrations during School Earthquake Awareness Day




Figure 8: Rescue during Fire in a Building





Figure 9: Emergency Survival Guide

Figure 8 shows Fire department personnel

explaining firefighting and rescue during fire

in a building. In addition to the above

training, we gave a copy of earthquake

survival guide (see figure 9) to each

student. This guide is pocket size and

contains all the necessary information

including important contact numbers. If we

unfold the paper we can see seismic

zontation map of the country with 2

question on the paper. First question is

“locate your home in the map” and second

question is find the zone in which your home

is located. With this sheet we are able to




sensitize till now around 50,000 people in

Hyderabad city. Finally a simple quiz

competition for children was organized they

participated actively.

Outcome of the Programme:

• Awareness generation among school

children in 50 schools.

• System development through trained

people.

• Capacity building.

• Content generation relevant to Indian

context

Acknowledgements:

We thank the following people/organizations

for supporting the awareness program

• Ministry of Earth Science for supporting

the project

• Director State Board of Technical

Education and Training for helping to locate

polytechnic lacturers

• Director Department of School Education,

Govt of Andhra Pradesh for helping to locate

schools and school teachers 13

• Director General Andhra Pradesh Fire and

Emergency Services Department for

demonstration at various places

References:

[1] IS 1893:2002, Indian Standard criteria

for earthquake resistant design of

structures, Bureau of Indian Standards, New

Delhi.

[2] Seismotectonic Atlas of India and

Environs, GSI 2000

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