EARTHQUAKE MONITORING STATION INAUGURATED AT MARCHAK
SAGAR CHHETRI
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 07 Nov: The Minister for Science and Technology and Climate Change, Forest and Tourism Department Bhim Dhungel inaugurated the Earthquake Monitoring Station at Science Centre, Marchak today.
The Station has been funded by Ministry of Earthquake Sciences, Government of India and the Principal Investigator of the station is Prof. Sankar Kumar Nath of IIT Kharagpur who has been working in Earthquake Science in Sikkim since 1996. The project is under the coordination of Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology. This station is among the 12 such stations installed in Sikkim.
Prof Sankar Kumar Nath delivered his presentation on ‘Seismicity and Seismic Hazard in the Sikkim Himalaya: Current Scenario’ during a day-long workshop held at Sikkim Science Centre, Marchak today. Prof. S.K.Nath during his presentation citing scientific reasons for earthquake categorically stated that there is no any relationship between earthquake and hydro projects. He further said that there is no reason to panic even if the aftershock sequences continue for some more time
In his presentation, Prof Nath informed that he along with his team has been working for Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas since 1996. He informed that a total of 12 earthquake monitoring stations were installed at different parts of the state so far and proposed to have four more at Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri in earliest.
He informed that more than 200 earthquakes have been recorded in Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas since 1996.
Prof Nath mentioned that it would be not appropriate to say whole Sikkim into the seismic zone 5 as parts of the Sikkim falls under the different seismic zones from 2 to 5 and above. He also mentioned that rapid urbanization and unprecedented population growth compounded the prevailing seismic risks.
The Seismological Investigation Report (SIR) prepared by him states that the Population Density Risk Map prepared by integrating the Hazard Scenario with the Population Density Map on GIS platform depicts higher risk in the mid and southern districts of Sikkim and since the population density in the epicentral zone and its neighbourhood was less the number of casualty was signifacantly low. Since the ground motion at Gangtok, Singtam, Mangan and other cities were comparatively low the casualty had been insignificant in these cities also.
Similarly a Building Risk Map prepared by integrating building typology with the hazard scenario says that it is evident that the building damage distribution is significant in the eastern and southern districts of Sikkim. The inhabitants should remain watchful about the secondary impact of this earthquake in the form of building collapse etc.
While showing the microzonation map, Prof Nath informed about the various uses of these maps such as in land use management, selection of suitable sites for future development of buildings and infrastructures, urban master planning and development of centres for earthquake safety.
He also stressed on the measures to be undertaken for prevention, mitigation and preparedness for such calamities.
Terming earthquake as a very serious matter Minister Bhim Dhungel during his speech said that there are very less people who are serious about this matter. The state government is not behind in framing progressive legislation in this regard but the government needs support from civil Society. The minister further said that the government is thinking on the lines of formulating new bye-laws on construction and the Chief Minister has spoken on this issue in many forums but the civil society has not given any views in this regard. He further added that every member of civil society should take the responsibility and not merely pass on the responsibility to the government alone.
Mr Dhungel also encouraged the people to express their opinion and provide inputs to help the government in its functioning.
Likewise, Dr AK Srivastava, Secretary, Science & Technolocy department gave a presentation on Earthquake in East India and Sikkim: Reflections, Inputs and Suggestions.
The workshop also witnessed an interaction session between Mr Nath and officials from different organisations and departments.
The day-long workshop was organized by the Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology and Geology & Geophysics Department of IIT Kharagpur and was supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The workshop was chaired by the Minister for Science and Technology, Bhim Dhungel, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Dr AK Srivastava, and was attended by officials from different government departments.
Prof Sankar Kumar Nath delivered his presentation on ‘Seismicity and Seismic Hazard in the Sikkim Himalaya: Current Scenario’ during a day-long workshop held at Sikkim Science Centre, Marchak today. Prof. S.K.Nath during his presentation citing scientific reasons for earthquake categorically stated that there is no any relationship between earthquake and hydro projects. He further said that there is no reason to panic even if the aftershock sequences continue for some more time
In his presentation, Prof Nath informed that he along with his team has been working for Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas since 1996. He informed that a total of 12 earthquake monitoring stations were installed at different parts of the state so far and proposed to have four more at Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri in earliest.
He informed that more than 200 earthquakes have been recorded in Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas since 1996.
Prof Nath mentioned that it would be not appropriate to say whole Sikkim into the seismic zone 5 as parts of the Sikkim falls under the different seismic zones from 2 to 5 and above. He also mentioned that rapid urbanization and unprecedented population growth compounded the prevailing seismic risks.
The Seismological Investigation Report (SIR) prepared by him states that the Population Density Risk Map prepared by integrating the Hazard Scenario with the Population Density Map on GIS platform depicts higher risk in the mid and southern districts of Sikkim and since the population density in the epicentral zone and its neighbourhood was less the number of casualty was signifacantly low. Since the ground motion at Gangtok, Singtam, Mangan and other cities were comparatively low the casualty had been insignificant in these cities also.
Similarly a Building Risk Map prepared by integrating building typology with the hazard scenario says that it is evident that the building damage distribution is significant in the eastern and southern districts of Sikkim. The inhabitants should remain watchful about the secondary impact of this earthquake in the form of building collapse etc.
While showing the microzonation map, Prof Nath informed about the various uses of these maps such as in land use management, selection of suitable sites for future development of buildings and infrastructures, urban master planning and development of centres for earthquake safety.
He also stressed on the measures to be undertaken for prevention, mitigation and preparedness for such calamities.
Terming earthquake as a very serious matter Minister Bhim Dhungel during his speech said that there are very less people who are serious about this matter. The state government is not behind in framing progressive legislation in this regard but the government needs support from civil Society. The minister further said that the government is thinking on the lines of formulating new bye-laws on construction and the Chief Minister has spoken on this issue in many forums but the civil society has not given any views in this regard. He further added that every member of civil society should take the responsibility and not merely pass on the responsibility to the government alone.
Mr Dhungel also encouraged the people to express their opinion and provide inputs to help the government in its functioning.
Likewise, Dr AK Srivastava, Secretary, Science & Technolocy department gave a presentation on Earthquake in East India and Sikkim: Reflections, Inputs and Suggestions.
The workshop also witnessed an interaction session between Mr Nath and officials from different organisations and departments.
The day-long workshop was organized by the Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology and Geology & Geophysics Department of IIT Kharagpur and was supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The workshop was chaired by the Minister for Science and Technology, Bhim Dhungel, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Dr AK Srivastava, and was attended by officials from different government departments.
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