India: Disasters mostly occur at specific times (study)

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI - Guwahati city is vulnerable to various kinds of disasters, both natural and manmade and according to a study, disasters mostly occur at specific times of the year. There is need for proper planning to deal with disasters in the city, even as the study reveals that certain areas of the city are more vulnerable to specific disasters.The study of the State government revealed that most of the incidents of outbreak of fire take place during March-May and the most vulnerable areas are Fancy Bazar, Paltan Bazar, Noonmati, Dispur, Beharbari, etc. Fancy Bazar witnessed a number of major fires in the last few years and the congested lanes in the business hub make the task of fire fighters more difficult. Majority of the fires broke out in Guwahati in the last few years because of electrical short circuit and careless handling of LPG cylinders.

The report pointed out that Guwahati is always considered vulnerable to earthquakes as it falls in the high risk Zone V in the seismic map and as no one can predict the time and place of an earthquake, the authorities concerned must make full preparation to deal with the situation if a major earthquake strikes the city. Lack of adequate open spaces is an area of concern in case of a major earthquake striking the city.

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