North East Braces for Future Earthquakes: A Call to Action

Following the recent 5.1 magnitude earthquake that shook the North East region, including Shillong, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has called upon residents to provide their responses in a digital form to aid in future urban planning and disaster mitigation efforts.

The Earthquake and Its Impact

The earthquake, which occurred on June 5 at 4:17:40 am, had a depth of 50 km and its epicentre was in Morigaon, Assam. This seismic event serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to earthquakes and the need for effective disaster management strategies.

The Importance of Community Response

As a nodal agency for macroseismic Investigation, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) needs the public's response to create isoseismal lines for earthquakes above 5 Mw. These lines are crucial for understanding the extent of an earthquake's effects and for informing future urban planning decisions.

Urban Planning and Disaster Mitigation

By providing their responses, residents can contribute to the creation of a more accurate isoseismal map, which can help in planning cities and towns in a way that minimizes the risk of damage and loss of life in the event of future earthquakes.

The North East Region and Beyond

The earthquake's epicentre was in Assam, but its effects were felt across the North East region, including Meghalaya and Shillong. Given the region's seismically active nature, it is essential that steps are taken to ensure that cities and towns are designed and built in a way that minimizes the risk of damage and loss of life in the event of future earthquakes.

A Call to Action

G.Rongmei, the Director of Earthquake Geology at the GSI's North East Region, has urged residents to invest their valuable time in filling out the response form. By doing so, they can help in creating a safer future for the North East region and for India as a whole.

Filling the Response Form

The link to the response form can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfX1ItIG-tmw6nkrljb6o28oXej6iaE3HNLlsyruDACel5EeQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106377142213240225948

In conclusion, the recent earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of community engagement in disaster management and urban planning efforts. By filling out the response form, residents can help in creating a safer future for the North East region and for India as a whole. Let us work together to ensure that our cities and towns are resilient and prepared for future earthquakes.