Lessons from Turkey-Syria quake: earthquake, landslide, flood-prone areas in J&K need risk assessment to minimise damage

Geologists blame haphazard constructions in tectonically active zones in mountainous areas. Srinagar: With Jammu and Kashmir being vulnerable to disasters especially earthquake, floods, and soil erosion, experts have called for risk assessment of vulnerable areas to minimise damage.

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A study conducted by Roger Bilham, a seismologist and professor of Geology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, US, had warned that a major quake with magnitude 9 in the Richter scale was likely to cause landslides and subsequent major destruction.

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Jhelum had crossed a record 23-feet at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge here submerging localities on both sides of the river including city's commercial hub Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas.

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The vulnerability of the geologically young unstable and fragile rocks of the district has increased many times in the recent past due to various unscientific developmental activities.

Deforestation, unscientific road construction and terracing, and encroachment on steep hill slopes have increased the intensity of the landslides.

The powerful earthquake of 7.8 magnitude rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, leaving around 11,000 dead while hundreds of buildings were toppled like a pack of cards.

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