Tamil Nadu Government sanctions seismic hazard assessment for Coimbatore

Tamil Nadu research project on seismic hazards in Salem and Coimbatore cities aims to enhance earthquake resilience.

The Revenue Administration and Disaster Management Department (RDMD) of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned a research project titled “Seismic Hazard Assessment and Microzonation of Salem and Coimbatore cities.”

This initiative, undertaken by the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management (CCCDM) at Anna University, Chennai, aims to address the seismic vulnerabilities of these urban areas, both categorised under seismic hazard Zone III.

A capacity-building program on “Seismic Microzonation and Vulnerability Rating for Plan Approval” has been planned for Zone III seismic areas, targeting 12 corporations: Chennai, Avadi, Tambaram, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Thiruvanamalai, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Nagercoil, and two smart cities, Trichy and Madurai.

Over the past two and a half years, the CCCDM has conducted studies revealing that approximately 80% of the areas in Coimbatore are susceptible to Zone III seismic hazards.

Alarmingly, about 20% of these areas exhibit a seismic hazard factor comparable to Zone IV, indicating a heightened level of risk. Specifically, the southern and central zones of Coimbatore were identified as particularly vulnerable. Here, high-risk areas include regions around the Noyyal River, Ukkadam Lake, and Sanganoor Stream.

The study emphasises the necessity of retrofitting existing buildings and adopting earthquake-resistant construction techniques for new structures to enhance resilience. It underscores that building plan approval processes should incorporate seismic safety measures to mitigate casualties and property damage during earthquakes.

To further these efforts, a capacity-building program on “Seismic Microzonation and Vulnerability Rating for Plan Approval” was organised by the CCCDM, funded by the RDMD. This one-day event, held on June 21, 2024, at the Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies in Coimbatore, was attended by 27 municipal corporation officials from 15 corporations across Tamil Nadu.