Earthquakes : All We Need to Know About Them

Contents: Preface. I. Understanding earthquakes: 1. Past earthquakes and seismic mapping of India. 2. Causes and prediction of earthquakes. 3. Prevention of damage. II. The earthquake in Gujarat: 4. The earthquake and damage caused. 5. Rescue and relief. 6. Role of the armed forces and paramilitary forces. 7. Role of NGOs and industrial houses. 8. Role of the government. 9. Lessons from the Gujarat and other earthquakes. III. What we can do: 10. Preliminary signs and preparations. 11. Risk analysis and preparations. 12. Construction and acquisition of properties in earthquake prone zones. 13. Post-earthquake damage: assessment of partially damaged buildings. 14. Repairs of partially damaged buildings. 15. Construction of low cost housing in rural areas. Epilogue. Bibliography.

"Man is powerless in the face of the wrath of nature. Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and cyclones, cannot be prevented. However, their adverse effects can be considerably reduced if the people are prepared and have adopted the relevant mitigation measures. Earthquakes do not kill by themselves. It is our lack of knowledge about the level of risk that we face and how to make our dwellings earthquake-resistant, that does. It is agonizing to see that villages and buildings, rebuilt after past earthquakes, are flattened once again by the next ones. This happens only because the new structures that are put up in place of the collapsed ones are as vulnerable as the old. Basic precautionary measures, which can reduce the extent of damage, are not taken. The help rendered by the Govt. and Non-Govt. Organisations (NGOs) in this regard is not sufficient. The ordinary people of India have to fend for themselves. It is therefore imperative that they learn about disaster management and take mitigation measures on their own to reduce damage and losses.

The aim of this book is to increase the awareness of the people about earthquakes, the risks involved and what can be done to mitigate the effects of such a disaster. It also explains the methods of inspection and repair of earthquake-affected buildings. The book is not a theoretical treatise on earthquakes. It is meant to be a 'do it yourself' handbook. Each chapter is self-contained and can be photocopied and distributed to those who need to know what to do to contain the damage and destruction caused by earthquakes." (jacket)