Seismic vulnerability and risk in the Himalayan township of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India
Piyoosh Rautela, G. C. Joshi, Bhupendra Bhaisora · Current Science · 2010
Rapid visual screening technique has been resorted to for assessing seismic vulnerability and risk in the Himalayan township of Mussoorie that falls in Zone IV of the Earthquake Zoning Map of India. Damage during an earthquake in this zone is expected to reach MSK intensity VIII. A total of 3344 structures in 11 residential wards of the town were surveyed in the field. Data collected in the field were analysed under GIS environment which suggests that a total of 615 (18%) buildings show high probability of Grade 5 damage and very high probability of Grade 4 damage class. The economic loss likely to be incurred is estimated to be of the order Rs 238.85 crore in the township of Mussoorie alone. Modest estimates suggest that 369 persons might sustain grievous injuries in this event. The study highlights the fact that some of the lifeline buildings are under severe threat and are required to be retrofitted or replaced on priority basis.