What is a heatwave? How does it impact India in the pre-monsoon period of summer season?

 Why is it in the news? 

1. The India Meteorological Department has forecast above normal temperatures in most parts of the country this summer between April to June, including extended heatwave episodes that may last 10-11 days in central and eastern India, affecting Odisha, Jharkhand, Eastern UP in particular. 

2. The Director General of IMD said that above normal heatwave days are likely in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Northern Parts of Karnataka. 

3. Heatwaves over these regions can last for 4-7 days but it is expected that these can prolong to 10-11 days over Odisha, Jharkhand, Eastern UP in this summer season. 

4. Heatwaves extending up to a  week could be experienced during April over eastern India mainly over Odisha. 

5. It is to be noted that heatwaves are common in the month of April over eastern India regions covering Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Vidarbha in Maharashtra and Gujarat and heatwaves continue for 1-3 days. But, this year it is expected that chances of extended heat waves will be in the month of April over the above regions.  

6. Thus, except West Peninsular India, some parts of East Central and East India, North eastern regions and J & K, major parts of India would be in the grip of heatwaves in the summer season between the months of April to June. 

What is the definition of heatwave and severe heatwave in India? 

1. When the maximum temperature exceeds at a particular place between 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the normal temperature for two consecutive days. Or when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40°C in plains, 37° C in coastal areas and 30°C in hilly regions for two consecutive days, it is called a heatwave. 

2. When the maximum temperature is increased to 6.5° C or more above the normal temperature of that region. Or if the maximum temperature exceeds 47°C in the plains, which persists for two consecutive days, it is called a severe heatwave. 

3. For example, If the normal maximum temperature in Delhi for the month of April is 37°C, if the temperature on two consecutive days is recorded 42°C, it would qualify as a heatwave. If the temperature increases to 44°C which persists for two consecutive days, it would be classified as a severe heatwave. 

Similarly, suppose the average annual temperature of Shimla, a hilly station, is recorded 27° C. If temperature increases 32° C, it would be called a heatwave. But, if the temperature goes to 34° C in Shimla for two days, it would be called severe heatwave. 

4. Heatwaves are more common in the northern, central and eastern parts of India. The most affected states from heat waves in India are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Telangana, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Eastern Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. 

Increasing trends of heatwaves in India 

1. It has been found that instances of heatwaves in the central, north west and south east region of the country had been growing at the rate of about 3 heatwave days per decade since 2000. 

2.The year 2024 saw a total of 554 heatwave days across the country , that is,  a sum of heatwave days in all states. 

Thus, except Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, almost the entire country experienced heatwaves.

3. It has also been found that there was a steady rise in the long duration heatwaves, sometimes going for 15 days at a stretch. The prolongation of heatwaves has a significant adverse impact on ecosystems, agriculture and public health. 

What are the causes for the heatwaves and severe heatwaves in India? 

Heatwaves in India are caused by the interaction between atmospheric high pressure systems, geographical features, climate change and human activities.  

1. Meteorological factor 

• Northern India is situated in the subtropical high pressure belt of 30° N of latitude. In the summer season the high pressure belt shifts further northward, covering northern and western India. 

Air rises near the equator due to intense heating , moves poleward at high altitude and becomes cold. The cold air descends around 30°N and S latitude due to the coriolis effect. The sinking air from high altitudes suppresses cloud formation, resulting in clear skies and continued solar heating. The hot air near the ground is trapped. Uninterrupted sunlight heats the ground continuously during the day, causing temperature to rise sharply. High pressure systems usually remain stationary or move slowly. This stagnation traps warm air over a region for extended periods leading to the prolongation of the heatwaves. The lack of strong winds prevents the dispersion of hot air, thereby, intensifying local temperature. In normal conditions warm air rises, forming clouds and rain on account of convection. But a high pressure system inhibits convection, thereby, reducing rainfall and moisture. This leads to dry, hot and stable atmospheric conditions typical of heatwaves. 

• Sometimes, high pressure systems get blocked by other weather patterns, causing them to persist for days, thereby, intensifying the heatwaves. The jet system naturally meanders due to temperature differences between polar and tropical air masses. Sometimes these waves amplify and become stationary, forming a blocking pattern. For example, in 2010, Russian heatwave was caused by blocking high pressure systems that remain stationary over western Russia leading to record breaking temperature and wildfires. Similarly, in India, the blocking system can delay monsoon onset, thereby, causing prolonged dry spells and heatwaves.     

• Sometimes a heat dome is formed, thereby trapping hot air under a high pressure system. The dome acts like a lid, preventing cooler air from mixing in thereby, causing prolongation of heatwave conditions. High pressure pushes the clouds away from the dome. Hot air expands upward into the atmosphere but high pressure pushes warm air down, thereby, causing air compression leading to heat waves. 

• Delayed or weak monsoon increases the duration of hot weather.

• Weak western disturbances lead to reduced pre-monsoon showers, thereby, causing prolongation of heatwaves. 

• The local wind called loo originates from the Thar desert. It blows from west to east. It is a dry wind and heats up to more than 50° C. 

• Cities with concrete structure and limited vegetation trap more heat. 

2.Climate change 

• Increased greenhouse gas emissions have raised global temperatures worldwide. Since India already has a high baseline temperature because of its tropical position, any further increase in temperature causes heat waves. In recent years, because of the climatic change and rising temperature, India is witnessing frequency of more heatwaves. 

• Loss of tree cover and consequent deforestation further aggravates heat waves. 

• High level of air pollution trap heat, thereby, exacerbating local temperatures. 

3.Anthropogenic Activities

• Industrial emissions, burning of crop residues and vehicle emission further increase temperature. 

4.Atmospheric patterns

• Warming of the Central Pacific Ocean and Indian ocean, thereby, causing El-Nino leads to hotter summers and weak monsoons in India. Weak monsoon causes prolongation of heatwaves in India. 

• Hot winds from Arabian peninsula and central Asia often increase temperature in northwestern India. 

How does it impact India in the pre-monsoon period of summer season?

1.Heat waves may cause health issues like : 

• Exhaustion

• Heat Stroke

• Dehydration

• Increasing risk of the vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, outdoor workers and people with pre-existing conditions.

• Increased mortality

• Heat related complications

• lMental health issued like stress, irritability and fatigue

2.It can cause following impacts on agriculture

• Decreasing productivity of different crops

• Livestock stress, reducing the productivity of cattle and therefore low production of milk. 

• Increasing demand of water for irrigation

• Severe impact upon Rabi crops 

3.Heat Waves can cause 

• water scarcity

• Food insecurity

• Shortage of drinking water

4. Heat waves causes 

• Reduced income of farmers

• Reduced labour productivity

• Increasing use of air conditioning and cooling system leading to power shortage

• Migration of rural poor to urban areas in search of livelihood

5. Heatwaves leads to 

• Wildfires 

• loss of biodiversity

• urban heat islands thereby, increasing the temperature in cities. 

How to mitigate the impact of heatwaves?

1.The impacts of heatwaves can be mitigated through following methods

• Early warning system

• Heat action plans that includes risk mapping, capacity, building and response protocols

• Public awareness programme to educate public about heat related illness

• Regular health check ups 

• Promotion of the use of heat resistance materials for clothing and shelters

• People should be exhorted to stay indoors during peak hours between 11 AM to 4 PM.

• Establishment of cooling centres 

• Medical preparedness 

• Mobile medical units 

• Urban  greening 

• Cool roofs and walls

• Ponds, lakes and fountains should be integrated in urban centres to moderate temperatures

• Rescheduling of school, colleges. 

• Rain water harvesting to increase ground water recharge to ensure water availability during heatwaves

• Efficient use of water through drip irrigation

• Setting up of water distribution points in public places

• Promoting heat resilient crops 

• Promoting agroforestry

• Using organic mulch to maintain soil moisture and reduce surface temperature

• Reducing carbon emission by promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuels to combat global warming. 

• Investing in research for heat resisting crops, advanced cooling technologies and sustainable urban planning. 

• Reducing urban heat islands by increasing greenbelts and reducing use of asphalt in cities. 

Conclusion

Heatwaves are natural calamities. They cannot be prevented. But through multifaceted approaches like public awareness, healthcare preparedness, urban planning, water management and long term climate action, their impact can be mitigated and precious lives can be saved. Several assessments have shown that the implementation of heat action plan has not been adequate in India while the administration has been more interested to implement short term measure such as making provision for drinking water in public places, creating cool shades for workers or preparing hospitals for heat related diseases, the long term interventions like greening of the cities, rejuvenation of water bodies, creation of parks or open spaces are being ignored. The approach of different governments is reactive rather than proactive, they react to a heatwave event when it occurs. They do not do enough to deal with the problem in a more comprehensive manner. It should be understood that the impacts of heatwaves can be largely managed if timely actions are initiated. 

 

What is the right to freedom of speech and expression? What are the reasonable restrictions ?

 Why is it in the news?

1. The Supreme Court on 28th March 2025 held that the fundamental right to free speech through poetry, theatre, stand up comedy and satire must be cherished.

2. The court said that reasonable restrictions on free speech must remain reasonable. Restrictions cannot be harmful or oppressive. Restriction cannot overshadow the fundamental right to free speech. It said that free speech was an integral part of a healthy and civilised society. A person’s view cannot be silenced because the majority does not like the sound of them.  

3. The Supreme Court held that the law enforcement authorities and courts must employ the standards of reasonable strong minded firm and courageous minds and not weak and vacillating ones who scent danger in every hostile point of view before initiating criminal action against freedom of expression. 

4. The top court highlighted that the police and the government have a duty to uphold and honour individual right to speech and expression. Thus, the court cancelled an FIR against a Congress MP under section 196 of Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita alleging to create animosity or hatred among different communities. 

What is the right to freedom as the fundamental right?

1.The right to freedom comes under article 19, 20, 21 and 22 of our constitution. Article 19 guarantees to all the citizens six rights. These are: 

• Right to freedom of speech and expression

• Right to assemble peacefully and without arms

• Right to form associations or unions or cooperative societies.

• Right to move freely throughout the territory of India

• Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.

• Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

In addition, article 19 also contained the right to acquire, hold or dispose of property. But this right was deleted  by the 44th amendment act of 1978.

2.It should be noted that these rights are available only to the citizens and to shareholders of a company but not to foreigners or legal persons like companies or corporations. Further, these rights are protected only against state action and not private individuals. Moreover, these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions. 

3. Article 20 grants protection against arbitrary punishment to an accused whether citizen or foreigner or legal person like company or corporation. Thus, it saves from double jeopardy, self-incrimination and punishment from retrospective effects. 

4. Article 21 declares that no person shall be deprived of his/her life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This right is available to citizens and non-citizens. 

5. In Maneka Gandhi Vs Union of India (1978), the Supreme Court expanded the scope of right to life and personal liberty. It held that the right to life and personal liberty of a person can be deprived by law provided the procedure prescribed by that law is reasonable, fair, just and not arbitrary, fanciful or oppressive. The procedure should confirm the principle of natural justice. Thus, protection under article 21 should be available not only against arbitrary executive action but also against arbitrary legislative action. The Court further held that the right to life under article 21 is not merely confined to animal existence or survival but it includes the right to live with human dignity and all those aspects of life which go to make a man’s life meaningful, complete and worth living. 

6. Article 22 grants protection against arbitrary arrest. The detenu must be informed of the grounds of arrest. He should have the right to consult and get defended by the legal practitioner. He must be produced before the magistrate within 24 hours excluding the journey time. He must be released within 24 hours unless the magistrate authorises further detention. The second part of the article contains preventive detention whereby any person can be detained for three months without producing before the magistrate. The detention period can be increased further after the endorsement of two member committees of High Court judges up to one year. Parliament has the power to extend the period of detention indefinitely. But this preventive detention provision is not self executory. Parliament will have to pass separate laws to enforce preventive detention. For example, it passed the National Security Act (NSA), Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) etc. 

What is the right to freedom of speech and expression?

1. It means that every citizen has the right to express his/her views, opinions, beliefs and convictions by words, writing, painting, signs, engraving or in any other manner. 

2. According to Supreme Court, the freedom of speech and expression include : 

• Freedom of the press

• Freedom of commercial advertisement 

• Right to telecast

• Right to propagate one's view

• Right against tapping of telephoning conversation

• Right against Bandh called by political party

• Right to know about government activity

• Right against imposition of pre censorship of newspaper

• Right to demonstration and picketing but not right to strike

• Right of voters to know the antecedents of the candidates contesting elections.

• Right to choose medium of instruction at the primary level

• Right to express gender identity

• Right to reply the criticism

• Right to post informational videos on the internet and social media

• Right of film makers to exhibit their films

• Right to have access to the internet to disseminate information

• Right to the freedom of silence 

What are the reasonable restrictions?

1. Right to freedom of speech and expression is subject to reasonable restrictions. They are not absolute. While in the USA, courts determine what constitutes reasonable restriction on the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression on a case to case basis. 

2.Our constitution has explicit provision with regard to reasonable restrictions and so the state can impose restrictions upon the right to freedom of speech and expression on the following grounds. These are 

• Sovereignty and integrity of India

• Security of the state

• Friendly relations with foreign states

• Public order

• Decency and morality

• Contempt of court

• Defamation

• Incitement to an offence

The role of the Supreme Court to uphold the right to the freedom of speech and expression.

1. The Supreme Court of India acted as a bulwark to safeguard the right to freedom of speech and expression by delivering various judgements. These are : 

• Romesh Thapar vs State of Madras (1950), the court held that freedom of speech and expression is essential for democracy. The ban on the entry and circulation of a magazine was struck down as unconstitutional.

• In the case of Shreya Singhal vs Union of India, the Supreme Court struck down section 66 A of the Information Technology Act as unconstitutional because it was vague and violated free speech. 

• In the Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India (1978), the Court broadened the interpretation of personal liberty to include freedom of speech. 

• In the case of Indian Express newspapers vs Union of India (1985), the Supreme Court ruled that freedom of the press is implicit in the article 19 (1) a, thereby strengthening economic independence of the press. 

• In the case of S Rangrajan vs P Jagjivan Ram, the Supreme Court held that freedom of speech cannot be suppressed merely because the views are unpalatable to somebody. It asserted that there must be a direct connection between the speech and public disorder.

• In the case of Anuradha Basin vs Union of India (2020), the Supreme Court held that freedom of speech  through the internet is a fundamental right and that any curtailment must follow proportionality. It establishes that indefinite suspension of internet services violates free speech. 

2. According to DD Basu, The Supreme Court has held that in examining the reasonableness of the statutory provision, whether it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under article 19, one has to keep in mind: 

• The Directive Principles of State Policy 

• Restrictions must not be arbitrary or of an excessive nature, going beyond the requirement of the interest of the general public. 

• No abstract or general pattern to judge the reasonableness of the restrictions can be laid down so as to be of universal application and the same will vary from case to case as also with regard to changing conditions, values of human life, social philosophy of the constitution, prevailing conditions and surrounding circumstances. 

• A just balance has to be struck between the restriction imposed and social control envisaged by the article 19 (6) [Article 19 (6) stipulates that a state can make rules with regard to professional and technical qualification necessary for practicing any profession or carrying on any occupation, trade or business). Secondly, the state can also carry on trade, business, industry or service  to the complete or partial exclusion of citizens.] 

• Prevailing social values as also social needs which are intended to be satisfied by the restrictions.

• There must be a direct and proximate nexus or reasonable connection between the restriction imposed and the objects sought to be achieved by the Act, that being so strong presumption in favour of the constitutionality of the Act will naturally arise. 

• Thus, the question of reasonableness should be determined from both the substantive and procedural stand points. In order to be reasonable, the restriction must not be greater than the mischief to be prevented. Legislation which arbitrarily or excessively invades the right cannot be said to contain the quality of reasonableness. Secondly, in order to be reasonable the procedure or manner of imposition of the restriction must also be fair and just. Thus, if a restriction is imposed in a manner which violates the principle of natural justice, it would be called unreasonable restriction. 

Ways Forward 

1. To ensure a robust freedom of speech and expression in India it is essential to address both legal and societal challenges. These are 

• Decriminalising defamation - while criminal defamation should be abolished, civil defamation should continue to balance protection to reputation without curbing freedom of speech and expression. 

• A firm guidelines on arbitrary internet shutdown should be issued. A parliamentary committee should oversee and monitor shutdowns.

• Implementing data protection law with secure digital freedom and prevention of surveillance. 

• Promoting tolerance and inclusivity through making people aware of constitutional rights and respectful dissent.

• Hate speech delivered by politicians must be dealt with.

• A permanent parliamentary committee should be formed to assess the misuse of the right to freedom of speech and expression.

• India should borrow best practices with regard to freedom of speech and expression from developed countries of the world. 

Conclusion

1. There is a need to balance individual rights with societal harmony. 

2. Social control is necessary, otherwise, the unbridled freedom of speech and expression would lead to anarchy and security threat to India. 

3. To sum up , the right to freedom of speech and expression is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. 

How Earthquakes occur? How to mitigate the devastation caused by Earthquake.

 Why is it in the news? 

1. Myanmar witnessed the earthquake on the 28th March 2025. It had a magnitude of 7.7 at Richter scale followed by 6.7 magnitude aftershock. The epicentre of the Earthquake was 11 miles away from the second largest city of Myanmar, Mandalay, having a population of 17 lakh people. 

2. The Earthquake killed more than 1666 people and more than 3400 people were injured. 139 people are believed to be missing. Its effect was also felt in the far flung Bangkok, a city in Thailand where more than 10 deaths have been reported. It is believed that more than 10 thousand people would have been killed only in Myanmar. The exact data would come to light when debris is excavated and rescue operations are completed. 

3. The earthquake destroyed buildings, drowned bridges and buckled roads across Myanmar with massive destruction in the city of Mandalay. 

4. The Government of India launched operation Brahma to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake affected people. India has dispatched search and rescue teams to Myanmar. The Indian air force carried relief materials to Myanmar. India would also set up a field hospital in the quack hit region.  

5. The US, China and other countries also extended help to the quack hit people of Myanmar. 

6.It should be noted that more than 20 lakh Indians are living in Myanmar. No casualty of any Indian citizen working in the country has been reported so far. Myanmar needs more help from foreign countries. It is a poor country, having low resources. The rehabilitation of the affected people by the Government of Myanmar itself is beyond its capacity, looking into the magnitude of disasters caused by earthquakes. 

Structure of the Earth? 

1. In order to understand the causes for the occurrences of the earthquake, it is essential to understand the structure of the Earth. 

2. The structure of the Earth consists of four layers. These are crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. Crust has a thickness of 5 km in the Ocean and about 70 km in the Continent.

3. The Continental crust is composed mostly of granite while the oceanic crust is composed mostly of basalt. 

4. Mantle has a thickness of 2900 km. It is composed mostly of magnesium and iron. It has two layers- the upper mantle consists of a lithosphere which is rigid and an asthenosphere which is semi-fluid. Lower mantle is more rigid due to high pressure. The temperature ranges from about 500°C near the crust to 4000°C near the core. The difference between the temperatures creates convection currents in the mantle, thereby, driving plate tectonics. 

5. Outer core has a thickness of 2200 km and is composed of liquid iron and nickel. Its temperature varies between 4000°C to 5700°C. The movement of liquid matter generates the Earth’s magnetic field. The inner core has a thickness of 1220 km. It is composed of solid, iron and nickel. Its temperature goes to 600°C. Despite high temperatures , intense pressure keeps the inner core solid.    

Lithosphere 

1. It is composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is solid and brittle in nature and is divided into large rigid pieces called tectonic plates. Its thickness varies from 100 km beneath the oceans and 200 km under continents.  

2. Lithosphere is solid and rigid compared to the underlying asthenosphere which is semi-fluid. Because of the semi-fluid asthenosphere and convection currents, the lithosphere moves. Lithosphere is broken into several tectonic plates. The interactions between lithospheric (tectonic) plates cause earthquakes, volcanic activity, high mountain and ocean tanks formation. 

3. There are seven major lithospheric (tectonic) plates in the world. These are Pacific, North American, South American, African, Eurasian, Antarctic, Indo Australian plates. 

4. Apart from major tectonic plates, there are various minor tectonic plates like Arabian (Arabian peninsula), Caribbean (between North and South America), Cocos (Off the West Coast of Central America), Nazca (Off the West Coast of South America), Philippines Sea plate (East of Philippines), Scotia plate (situated between South America and Antarctica), Juan de fuca plate (Off the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America), Indian (Part of Indo-Australian plate), Somali (along the East African rift), Caroline (Western Pacific Ocean), Okhotsk (part of the North West Pacific including parts of Russia and Japan), Yangtze (parts of China), Amurian (Eastern Asia including parts of Russia and China), Sunda (includes parts of SouthEast Asia, Java, Sumatra and Borneo bounded by Eurasian, Australian, Philippine and Indian Plates). These plates interact with the major plates causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountain ranges.  

How Earthquakes occur?

1.  Movement of the plates -  The tectonic plates move continuously towards each other. If one tectonic plate crashes another plate it is called convergent boundary. The heavier plate is subducted below the lighter plate, thereby, causing release of energy and therefore, the trembling of earth called earthquake. When two tectonic plates move apart it is called divergent boundary. It causes a fault line and this fault line releases energy on account of stress on the Earth’s crust leading to earthquakes. 

Thirdly, when one tectonic plate slides past another tectonic plate,it is called the transform boundary. And if some part of the plate is struck with another part of the plate, it leads to the shaking of the earth. The earthquake in Syria and Turkey in 2023 was caused by the sliding past one plate by another plate. 

2. Earthquakes are also caused by volcanoes in areas having crustal weaknesses. 

3. In the areas of intense mining activities, roofs of the underground mines collapse causing minor tremors. 

4. Nuclear explosion and implosion further cause earthquakes. 

5. It is also caused where large dams or reservoirs have been built. 

Why did the Earthquake occur in Myanmar on 28th March 2025?

1. The epicentre of the earthquake was at Sagaing fault line. It is a right lateral strike slip fault in Myanmar where the primary movement is horizontal. It means the blocks of the earth crust move side by side and parallel to the faultline rather than up or down. The displacement is caused by shearing forces. 

It runs in a north-south direction and is approximately 1200 km long. This fault line forms the boundary between the Burma microplate, the part of Sunda plate and the Eurasian plate. It accommodates the northward movement of the Indian plate relative to the Sunda plate. The tectonic interactions result in significant stress accumulation along the faultline. When this stress exceeds the frictional resistance along the fault, it releases seismic energy causing an earthquake. 

Distribution of Earthquake prone zones of the earth

1. Circum Pacific seismic belt - Also called ring of fire along the pacific ocean rim having more than 81% earthquakes.  

2. Alpine continental belt - It stretches from Europe to Sumatra via the Mediterranean , the Himalayas and into the Atlantic Ocean. This belt accounts for about 17% of the world’s earthquakes. 

3. Mid Atlantic Ridge - A divergent plate boundary called the mid Atlantic ridge is mostly underwater. 

Distribution of Earthquake prone zones in India

India has been divided into four seismic zones : 

1. Zone V consists of parts of Kashmir Valley, Western Part of Himachal Pradesh, Eastern Part of Uttrakhand, Kutch in Gujarat, Part of Northern Bihar, all North Eastern States and Andaman Nicobar islands. 

2. Zone IV consists of Ladakh, remaining parts of J & K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Delhi, some parts of Haryana, Punjab, Sikkim, Northern Parts of Uttar Pradesh , Bihar ,West Bengal, some parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Western Rajasthan. 

3.Zone III includes states of Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep islands, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, remaining parts of Gujarat and Punjab, parts of West Bengal, Western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, remaining part of Bihar, Northern Part of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. 

4. Zone II includes the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

5. Approximately, 11% area of the country falls under Zone V, 18% in Zone IV, 30% in Zone III and the remaining in Zone II. Thus, a total 59% of the landmass of India is prone to earthquakes of different intensities.  

Effects of Earthquakes   

1.  Tremors of grounds 

2. Landslides and mudslides

3. Soil liquefaction

4. Ground Displacement

5. Floods from dam failure

6. Structure collapse

7. Tsunami

8. Falling objects/skyscrapers  

9. Fire

10. Differential ground settlement

11. Avalanches

How to mitigate devastation caused by earthquakes?

1. Earthquake resistance construction - Houses/ buildings should be constructed in such a way that they can withstand seismic forces. 

2. Implementing and enforcing strict building codes that require earthquake resistant design.

3. Site selection and foundation - Avoiding building on loose soils or clay that can amplify seismic waves. Avoiding construction near fault lines, unstable soils and areas prone to liquefaction. 

4. Early warning system through television, radio and mobile alerts so that people can take protective measures. 

5. Rapid response and recovery - Quick response and mobilising the resources can save lives trapped in debris. 

6. Preparedness - rescue and quick response teams should be prepared in advance. These teams should be regularly trained. Ensuring essential services like hospitals, emergency response centres and utilities to respond to the disaster.   

7. Public education - Educating communities about the earthquake risks can reduce panic and improve response during the disaster. 

8. International cooperation and research - Sharing knowledge, technology and resources with neighbouring countries and international organisations for reduction of earthquake risk. 

9. Research and innovation - Investing in research to improve understanding with regard to seismic hazards and developing new technologies for earthquake resistant construction. 

10. Retrofitting - Strengthening existing buildings and infrastructure to improve their ability to withstand earthquakes.  

11.Implementing land use policies that restrict development in high risk areas and promote open spaces that can serve as evacuation zones. 

12. Continuously updating maps pointing out seismic hazards to guide urban planning and infrastructure development. 

Conclusion

1. Earthquakes cannot be prevented because they are natural calamities. But systematic earthquake resistant construction designs and preparedness in advance can go a long way in mitigating the devastation caused by the earthquake disaster.    

2. The quick response in evacuating the quake hit areas and removal of debris to save people trapped therein would further reduce the magnitude of disaster. 

3. The international help and coordination between different agencies would further help in speedy rehabilitation of quack hit people.