The recent earthquake with its epicenter in Gangtok, Sikkim has once again raised the question of how safe is Northeast India. The earthquake zoning map of India divides India into 4 seismic zones (Zone 2, 3, 4 and 5). Out of these four zones, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity and is known as the very high damage risk zone . Northeastern India falls in this Zone 5 and hence there is always a chance of more earthquakes here than in other parts of the country.
The effect in Gangtok and other parts of Sikkim has been tremendous. Chunky Dadul while speaking to us from Gangtok enumerated how the whole family had to spend their night in the streets on the day of the earthquakes. The scenes coming in from Sikkim are heart wrenching. One of the heartening sides of the earthquake has been that the rescue and relief operations have been fast but the difficult terrain has made it extremely difficult to approach far off locations notably the villages located in Dzongu. But all kudos to the people of Sikkim for standing up bravely and helping each other.
This earthquake has also rasied questions on how safe is Guwahati considering the number of multi storied buildings that have come up in the last few years. The most important aspect is that the permission is granted to the builder on the plan and specifications that he puts up in paper but once the building has been constructed who validates whether the safety norms are in place, has the building being built on the GMDA guidelines, etc.If you drive around Guwahati these days all you will see is multi storied buildings coming up everywhere including the hills. The question is how safe are these. Can they withstand serious natural calamities? This trend has started in Jorhat as well.
The GMDA seems to have also suddenly woken up to the perils of high seismic zones and they have decided to go for a Technical audit of around 1500 multi storey buildings which were granted permission in the last ten years. They have shortlisted a firm for this work and this is expected to commence shortly. AssamTimes will continue to highlight safety issues in the days to come. We also invite our reader’s valuable opinions on how to make Assam and especially Guwahati city safe.
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Rongjeng, the name of a tiny spot atop the East Garo Hills in Meghalaya seems to have dressed afresh. People in this beautiful place are busy with preparing for the Rongjeng Festival slated to begin from March 20.The two days event, first of its kind in this place aims at showcasing their produces, wares, handlooms and handicrafts before the tourists of the country and abroad.Ethnic culture and cuisine of the people are expected to steal the focus in the market.Entrepreneur from Assam and Nagaland are also expected join the event. Several state government departments have confirmed participation in the first village trade fair by holding stalls to make the people aware of the schemes...
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Rongson Das is disappointed on the day of Magh Bihu. The local resident of Aahotguri area in Morigaon district spared no pain to train up his buffalo to be fielded in the fight on Thursday. Till Tuesday he was confident that his animal would steal the show. But the things have taken an unexpected turn. There would no buffalo fight this time. The Assam Government has restricted the game scheduled for Thursday and Friday.“I am totally disappointed. What I left undone to help my animal win this time. But of no avail. Today I am not joining the festival when I got the details of the government instruction,” the 50 year old told Assam Times.Same it is in the case of Bihuwa Kalita whose...
Defying a biting cold wave mejis were burning bright to mark the magh bihu celebration across the state on Thursday.Amid traditional pomp and gaiety, people in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat districts lit up the wooden mejis early in the morning after the whole night feasting and merriment.Traditional straw mejis were lit up in Kamrup, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Barpeta, BTAD areas along with other parts of the state offering pujas to the god of fire. Local people in large thronged the burning mejis seeking divine help from the fire god. Cultural programmes, traditional games and competitions and are lined up for the entire day. Home made sweets, beaten rice, pastries are...
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