India has witnessed some devastating earthquakes in the past years and if reports from the United Nations and World Bank are to be believed, by the year 2050, more than 200 million people living in Urban India will be exposed to earthquakes. Nearly 54% of the land in India is prone to earthquakes. India is divided into four seismic zones, namely, zone 2, zone 3, zone 4 and zone 5. Out of these zones, zone 5 is the most prone to earthquakes whereas, zone 2 has the lowest seismic levels. We bring you 5 most earthquake prone cities in India.
Guwahati
The city is a part of the zone 5 of the seismic zones in India, making it prone to earthquakes. Guwahati has witnessed some devastating earthquakes and tremors are quite common in the area. If you are a resident from Guwahati, it is advisable to be cautious at all times.
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir’s capital is another earthquake prone city in India. It also comes under the seismic zone 5. Many parts of the Kashmir Valley, also come under this seismic zone. 90% of the state’s area comes under seismic zone 4. The friction between the Eurasian and the Indian plate results in many earthquakes close to the Himalayas.
Delhi
India’s capital city ranks third in the most earthquake prone areas of India. Since 1720, the city has been hit by earthquakes higher than magnitude 5. On the sides of the Yamuna River, the Ridge and the Chhatarpur basin are two most earthquake prone neighbourhoods.
Mumbai
Mumbai also falls in the seismic Zone 3. The location of Mumbai, which is on a coastal line, increases the risk of a tsunami. Since the last 20 years, most buildings in Mumbai have been designed keeping in mind the seismic zone.
Chennai
Previously, Chennai used to lie in zone 2. But, recently, the city has shifted to zone 3. After experiencing strong tremors in September 2001, with an earthquake of 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale, the city has become more vulnerable to earthquakes.
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Featured Image Credit (intrescue.info)