Q5.The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.

India, particularly its Himalayan belt and parts of Peninsular India, faces high seismic vulnerability. Recent events suggest an increased frequency of earthquakes, highlighting critical gaps in the nation's preparedness for mitigating their devastating impact.

• Inadequate implementation and weak enforcement of seismic-resistant building codes, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas, lead to vulnerable infrastructure.
• Absence of advanced early warning systems, real-time seismic monitoring, and robust instrumentation hinders timely response.
• Insufficient public awareness campaigns, community-level preparedness drills, and capacity building for first responders remain significant challenges.
• Poor land-use planning in high-risk zones and slow progress in retrofitting critical infrastructure exacerbate risks.
• Post-disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts often lack resilience-focused approaches, prolonging recovery.

Addressing these multifaceted gaps requires a holistic approach encompassing stringent regulations, technological upgrades, public education, and resilient urban planning to build a truly earthquake-resilient India.