GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07-07-2004

EARTHQUAKES IN ASSAM

344. SHRI KIRIP CHALIHA

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Assam is prone to earthquakes;
(b) if so, whether any research or seismological study has been conducted in this regard;
(c) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government thereon?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) Yes Sir. As per the seismic zoning map published by Bureau of Indian Standards, the entire North-East India including Assam falls in Seismic Zone -V, which is considered to be most severe zone.

(b) to (d) State-of-the-art digital seismographs have been deployed in Assam and its adjoining areas to monitor the seismic activity. These systems are maintained and operated by different agencies including, Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat, Guwahati University, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee etc. with the support of Department of Science & Technology in project mode. Also, India Meteorological Department, which is the nodal agency to monitor the seismic activity in the country, operates and maintains a few seismic stations in that area. Microzonation studies of Guwahati region have also been initiated, through multi-institutional efforts, for earthquake hazard and risk assessment to help in better planning with regard to disaster mitigation and management strategies.