4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

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 April 13, 2023  Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)  0
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By Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) Temu

By Col Ravinder Singh*

Earthquakes are one of the most devastating natural disasters that can
strike anytime with little or no warning. On 21 March 2023, an earthquake
of magnitude 6.6 occurred in Afghanistan, the tremors of which shook parts
of northern India and were felt as far away as Delhi-NCR, Jaipur and
Chandigarh. The destructive power of earthquakes leads to damage to
infrastructure, displacement of people and loss of life. Since it is impossible
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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

to warn the population of an

impending earthquake, it is
Turkey Earthquake
all the more important to
2023: Reducing
have a precise knowledge of
Risks In The Indian
the disaster risk in the Context – Analysis
 April 13, 2023  Manohar
region, as it is the only way Parrikar Institute for Defence
to provide important Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)
information to reduce risk to  0
population. 
By Col Ravinder Singh*
Disaster risk is determined Earthquakes are one of the
most devastating natural
probabilistically as a
disasters that can strike
function where hazard, anytime with little or
exposure and vulnerability are directly proportional (any increase causes an
increase in risk) and capacity is inversely proportional (an increase causes a
decrease in risk). The magnitude of the earthquake, its proximity to
populated places, the kind of terrain, how structures are constructed, the
time it strikes, and the response time are some variables that affect the
number of casualties and damage to property.

Most earthquake fatalities occur due to structural collapses, and lesser

casualties are attributable to non-structural causes and secondary
disasters. Besides fatalities, earthquakes cause enormous economic losses,
social disruption and psychosocial problems. As nearly 60 per cent of India
is vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes, it is useful to learn from
the experiences of such natural disasters as the February 2023 earthquake
that struck Turkey and Syria. UAE:
Detainees
Held
In the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in
Beyond
February 2023, the number of people killed surpassed 45,000. At least one Sentences,
earthquake of magnitude 5 occurs every year in Turkey. The earthquake of Says HRW
1999 led to the establishment of the Disaster and Emergency Management  April 13, 2023  0

Authority (AFAD) to effectively manage disasters. AFAD had a Strategic Plan

2019–2023 to build disaster-resilient communities. However, reports Trump’s Al
Capone
flagged inadequate implementation of policy that perhaps led to the worst Moment –
disaster yet in 2023. OpEd
 April 13,
The recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which affected 16 per cent of 2023  0
Turkey’s population, caused an estimated damage of more than US$ 34
billion in direct property damage, according to a World Bank rapid damage Problems
assessment report. This excludes the recovery and reconstruction costs And
Solutions:
that will undoubtedly be much larger. Rescue and relief efforts were
What To
hampered by damaged roads, cold winter and breakdown of Do About
communications. An estimated 1,41,000 people from 94 countries Social Security And Medicare
participated in the rescue efforts.  For Older Americans – OpEd

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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

India also contributed to the  April 13, 2023  0

relief efforts by sending its
army medical team, National
Disaster Relief Force (NDRF)
Recent Comments
personnel with equipment,
raj on Why Pakistan Can’t Befriend
dogs and relief materials. India – OpEd
The relief supplies included
Miriam on Black People Used To
critical medicines, seven C-17
Attack Revolutionary Governments
aircraft and a network- – OpEd
independent real-time
Tigist Wodaje on A Looming
tracking and messaging Geopolitical Disaster In The Horn
module called SANCHAR. The Of Africa – OpEd
rescue of a six-year-old girl by NDRF and the picture of a Turkish woman David J Mueller on 5 Reasons Why
kissing an Indian Army medical officer on her cheek has been highlighted in Much Of Global South Isn’t
international media, showcasing India’s rescue and relief efforts. Automatically Supporting The West
In Ukraine – OpEd

Reducing Risks in the Indian

Context
Having experienced numerous earthquakes of magnitude greater than 6,
the Himalayan region and the Rann of Katch in India are particularly
vulnerable. The earthquakes in Latur (1993), Kashmir (2005) and Bhuj (2001)
are grim reminders of the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes. While one
can’t prevent natural disasters from happening, an understanding of
disaster risk can help mitigate its effects. India must take lessons from the
recent Turkey earthquake for future planning to reduce its impact.

Rapid Urbanisation Search

Economic growth and better job opportunities have led to urban
agglomeration and demographic shifts. Rapid urbanisation has led to a
boom in population, property and infrastructure. The percentage of people
living in cities increased from 25.72 per cent in 1991 to 35.39 per cent in
2021 in India, indicating an increased risk. The colossal damage wrought by
the earthquakes in Turkey is revealed in videos of multi-storey buildings
collapsing. A report by Turkey’s AFAD states that temporary shelters were
supplied for nearly 19 lakh survivors, which is a sign of the extensive
damage to residential structures. 

Urbanisation cannot be avoided due to economic factors and social benefits

to the populace. However, seismic micro zonation in master plans and land
use plans, retrofitting of structures, regularisation of illegal colonies/slums

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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

and resettlement of such to areas should form an essential part of

earthquake risk mitigation measures in the Indian context.

Implementation of Building Codes

Implementing earthquake-resistant building codes is an effective structural
measure to mitigate the risks of an earthquake. The structural damages
caused in Turkey indicated poor implementation of building code policies.
In most countries, building codes are not implemented due to various
reasons, including those related to lack of effective oversight mechanisms,
funding, a lack of political will, among other factors. Also, builders/owners
either do not know the codes or do not have the resources to comply with
them, and in many cases look to cut costs, which directly increases the risks
of damage in case of natural disasters like earthquakes. 

The National Building Code of India was first published in 1970 and
underwent a second revision in 2005. Two amendments were then released
in 2015. The National Building Code of India 2016 represents a significant
milestone and reflects modern, globally applicable best practices. The
nation-wide application of these codes must be enforced by the team of
building officials appointed by the local authority, to ensure that sufficient
disaster risk reduction measures are taken.

Dealing with Mass Casualty Events

(MCEs)
The emergency medical services and organisations responding to the
situation in Turkey were overwhelmed due to the earthquake, which
brought forth challenges such as uncertainty, confusion arising from a lack
of contingency plans, delay in the establishment of the Incident Command
System, the necessity to alter the medical response, breakdown in
communication and directing the response to recover from the effects of
the disaster in a timely and efficient manner. 

In order to react to disasters, a few states in India have implemented

disaster management plans that include both the national and state
disaster response forces which are trained and equipped to respond in the
event of a disaster. But in order to save priceless lives during the ‘Golden
Hour’, an earthquake that hits without any prior notice calls for an effective
system. In order to overcome these challenges, the implementation of a
Decision Support System, by the District Disaster Management Authority
headed by the District Collector, can provide real-time information by
mapping the medical facilities available, with details on availability of beds

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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

and medicines, location of ambulances, distances and modes of transport,

and can save precious lives. 

Natech (Natural Hazard Triggering

Technological) Disasters
Natech disasters like the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster of 11 March 2011 are
technological disasters triggered by natural disasters, which occur
conjointly. Such disasters result in the release of toxic air, hazardous
materials, fires and explosions, forcing the response force to abandon
rescue operations. After a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in 1999, Turkey
witnessed Natech disasters, including a significant fire at a refinery in Korfez
and an acrylonitrile spill at a facility that produced fibres. Natech
catastrophes are more likely to occur as a result of industrialisation, which
results in the storage of dangerous chemicals, flammable materials, gas
pipelines and explosive materials. 

The Seveso III directives were adopted by the European Commission in

2012. Annex. I of those directives explicitly recognised Natech risk as a
crucial element of a hazardous site and required methods for identifying,
analysing, and preventing accidental risks as part of a comprehensive
Natech risk management strategy. 

India has in place a ‘National Disaster Management Plan 2019’ which has
incorporated a detailed framework for Disaster Resilience to include
Industrial disasters, Nuclear and Radiological emergencies and Biological
and Public Health emergencies. The inclusion of a risk management
strategy to include a comprehensive national policy on prevention,
preparedness and mitigation of Natech disasters would assist in
ameliorating the effects of Natech disasters.

Public–Private Partnership (PPP) to

strengthen Disaster Mitigation
For effective rescue and relief operations, it is essential to build community
resilience. This will allow quick response and recovery and make it possible
for response teams to use the dispersed resources and focus the effort in a
coordinated manner. Analysts have highlighted the lack of specifications or
guidelines as regards the PPP model for disaster mitigation in the Turkish
context.

The Indian government and private sector institutions should invest in

building community resilience by promoting social cohesion, strengthening
local institutions, and improving access to healthcare and social services
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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

through robust public–private partnerships. As losses from disasters

exceed available funds and the nation is economically affected, PPP would
provide an alternative source for reconstruction and also for preparedness
measures that could help the government scale up projects. The non-
participation of communities at the design and planning stage could also
lead to ownership issues at a later stage. Tax incentives and compliance
with the DRR index can act as a catalyst for active private sector
participation.

Conclusion
Earthquakes have both economic and social impacts. The economic impact
results in financial losses, while the social impact lasts longer and harms the
survivors’ mental health. India can use the lessons learned from the tragic
earthquake in Turkey to better prepare for and respond to natural
disasters. India must adhere to strict building codes, risk-mitigating
innovations and earthquake preparedness. By being proactive and studying
other countries’ experiences and best practices, India can better ensure the
safety of its residents and reduce disaster risk.

Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the Government of India.

*About the author: Col Ravinder Singh is an artillery officer with three
decades of military service and is presently pursuing his doctorate in
Disaster Management from SR University, Warangal

Source: This article was published by Manohar Parrikar IDSA

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4/13/23, 11:58 AM Turkey Earthquake 2023: Reducing Risks In The Indian Context – Analysis – Eurasia Review

Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies

and Analyses (MP-IDSA)
The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and
Analyses (MP-IDSA), is a non-partisan, autonomous body
dedicated to objective research and policy relevant studies on
all aspects of defence and security. Its mission is to promote national and
international security through the generation and dissemination of
knowledge on defence and security-related issues. The Manohar Parrikar
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) was formerly named
The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

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