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
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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)
76 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
77 Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot Project in
Hyderabad City, India
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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.
78 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
79 Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot Project in
Hyderabad City, India
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
Figure 5: Information Posters
80 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
81 Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot Project in
Hyderabad City, India
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
82 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
Figure 8: Rescue during Fire in a Building
83 Earthquake Disaster Safety and Preparedness A Pilot Project in
Hyderabad City, India
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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
84 RAJU SANGAM, TERALA SRIKANTH and RAMANCHARLA PRADEP KUMAR
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 04, No. 01, February 2011, pp. 73-84
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