The degree of damage to Saturday’s earthquake would have been zillion times more than quake-hit Nepal if its epicentre would have been in Delhi. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal has killed 4,600 and still counting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the death toll is expected to reach a whopping 10,000. Dr CP Rajendran, a seismic expert, said that the magnum of devastation would be much higher in Delhi than any other region due to its vast population and lack of planning. It has a high seismicity (high-risk seismic zone) as well. “Things happen out of the blue and people are never serious about earthquakes. Delhi has a reason to worry,” he said.
“Places like Paharganj and Old Delhi are at higher risk level. If an earthquake occurs, even of a lower magnitude of level, the damage level would be higher. These places will fall like a pack of cards. The damage level depends on the kind of building,” he added.
Rajendran explained that while some places are located on a hard rock, some are located on a lake which impacts the magnitude of loss.
Rajendran added that the earthquake measuring 6.8 Richter scale that hit Uttarkashi had a huge impact on Delhi. Places like Delhi and lucknow are located close to Gangetic plains. “luckily we have escaped this time. But we are not sitting safe,” he said.