A report on aftermaths of Earthquake in Delhi NCR

As per an Economic Times article today, the earthquake that struck the region on this Saturday with epicenter in Nepal had an intensity of almost 5 on Richter scale locally i.e. it was hypothetically equivalent to an earthquake, with epicenter in Delhi, of intensity 5 on Richter scale.
This is the strongest of the tremors experienced in Delhi NCR since last 55 years.

While no major loss of property or life has been reported from the region, panic did set in among people through the weekend.

We report the after effects of the earthquake in the region:

1) Flats* in sector 119 and sector 71 Noida reported to have developed cracks around the doors. Builder in response states that it is mishandling by owners which got aggravated by earthquake.

2) A Flat* in Crossing Republik is said to have developed cracks around balcony. The same is being investigated by the builder.

3) Cracks in balconies and common areas reported in some cooperative societies in sector 82 Noida.

4) Cracks reported in corridors in a society* in sector 137 Noida.

5) Many others in Indirapuram, Raj Nagar extension, Golf course extension and new societies in 7x Noida reported of lack of emergency support facilities and contingency plan.

6) The authorities of Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon have started sending notices to builders to revisit and check their buildings for earthquake resistance and whether the structures conform to the standards laid down in the building code. Inspections will be held over the week by Noida and Greater Noida authority officials to check if the earthquake has left any footprints of a possible structural deficiency.

7) Buyers utilized Sunday for visiting their under construction units and gauging the impact of earthquake on their flats/towers. Many buyers made it a point to visit their projects and check with site office for any immediate impact of the earthquake on their building. They also inquired of the building’s structural safety certification (as mandated by NBCC and building bye laws) a copy of which needs to be kept at the site all the time. This is clearly a sign of increased awareness among today’s buyers.

We would keep updating this article with any other updates that we receive from the field.

Finally, before we wind up, we list down few of the procedures that owners/buyers shall ensure are followed in their project(s) for an effective resistance to earthquakes:

-For an under construction project, builder, contractors and authorities are equally responsible in ensuring the structural safety guidelines are met. Buyers should make it a point to appoint a senior civil engineer to verify the builder’s claims. For a group, an engineer’s fees would be as low as 200 to 500 rupees per head.

-Builders shall ideally provide a (seismic zone + 1) earthquake resistance structure. e.g. for a region falling in seismic zone 4, builder shall provide a structure meeting seismic zone 5 guidelines. Note that this is suggested not mandated given that in remote cases of crust movement, seismic boundaries are subject to change.

-For a delivered project, builders/RWAs need to identify a safe and sufficiently accommodating assembly area which is well insulated from concrete structures.

-Each builder/RWA needs to have a well defined disaster management team and mock drills for the same shall be conducted on regular basis.

Images of Park Horizon apartments with cracks in Kathmandu were circulated in social media. The fact that many low rise structures around it crumbled while it stood strong just goes to show that the structural strength is critical and can help resist the worst of earthquakes if implemented in entirety.

*: Please note we have intentionally withheld the name of societies if any till the time actual cause is confirmed.

Comments/Feedback invited.

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Last Updated on April 28, 2015 by Go4Reviews