By Dr Surjeet Singh Khaira
The development of the “Bhudev Mobile App” by Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and IIT Roorkee is a big leap forward in disaster preparedness. Getting a 15 to 30-second early warning before an earthquake might not sound like a lot, but in disaster response, even a few seconds can save lives — whether it’s moving to a safer location, stopping hazardous activities, or alerting loved ones.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s personal appeal also shows how seriously the state is taking the issue. It’s a good sign when leadership not only supports but actively promotes such technology. Since Uttarakhand falls under Zones IV and V (the most earthquake-prone zones in India), raising public awareness and preparedness is absolutely critical. It’s also great to see such public messages being shared through mainstream media. It ensures that the information reaches a broad audience, including people in remote areas.
Just recall in the end of March 2025, how the world was shocked by the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake. Look at the disaster that took place after the earthquake that occurred with epicenter close to Mandalay (the second largest city). First it was measured on Richter Scale 7.9 and was followed by 112 aftershocks ranging between 2.8 to 7.2. As many as 5,380 + fatalities, 7860 injuries, and 590 people went missing. Tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok nearly 1000 kms away.
This recent earthquake in Myanmar serves as a sobering reminder of the seismic vulnerability of regions like Uttarakhand and the broader Himalayan belt. The Himalayas, being relatively young and tectonically active mountains, are indeed one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the world. This heightened vulnerability is due to our geographical location in the Himalayas — a young fold mountain range formed by the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Himalayas are geologically unstable, and earthquakes are not uncommon here. In fact, the Himalayan region experiences approximately 500 to 600 earthquakes of varying magnitudes each year.
Many people over the age of 60 vividly recall the earthquake that struck Uttarkashi, with its epicentre in Agoda, in October 1991 (magnitude 6.8). Uttarkashi, approximately 200 km away from Dehradun, suffered significant damage locally, and several old buildings suffered cracks in Dehradun too. The vibrations were strong enough to be felt as far as Delhi. Other such devastating earthquakes include the 1999 Chamoli earthquake (magnitude 6.6) and the 2015 Kathmandu earthquake (magnitude 7.8).
Let us understand why earthquakes occur in the Himalayas. Geologically, the Himalayas originated from the collision of the Eurasian Plate and the Indo Australian Plate millions of years ago. (Plates are broken pieces of continents.) These plates have tectonic boundaries along which they create immense stress and strain. The accumulated stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, they fracture, releasing energy in the form of earthquakes, often with disastrous consequences.
The tectonic plates are found with complex systems of faults (cracks), and the movement along these faults is the primary cause of earthquakes. The epicentres are formed in the greater depth of these faults. Population growth near the plate boundary is always at risk.
Dehradun is characterised by numerous crisscross historic faults lines; major among them are the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Main Central Thrust (MCT), which are active and play a significant role in earthquake generation. MBT passes through the northern part of Rajpur area in the Rispana River. If the epicentre occurs along these fault lines, and built-up energy remains unreleased and continues to accumulate, it could eventually lead to a major unforeseen earthquake.
Given this reality, it’s critical for governments, communities, and individuals living in Dehradun to remain alert and proactive. Structural safety, early warning systems, disaster education, and strict implementation of building codes must be prioritised to minimise loss of life and property in the event of future quakes.
(Dr Surjeet Singh Khaira is a seasoned Geography educator with over 38 years of experience, known for seamlessly integrating Environmental Studies into his academic work. A prolific author, he has penned several ICSE textbooks and three acclaimed books on nature, reflecting his deep-rooted passion for the environment. A dedicated naturalist and ecological advocate, Dr Khaira is also an amateur photographer who captures the beauty of landscapes and biodiversity through his lens. He is the founder of the Himalayan Geographical Society and remains actively involved in several scholarly and environmental organisations in Dehradun.)
