Where in India are we safe?

                         If we are willing to setup an industry or expand a company, the selection of a suitable area is very important. Last year we had a discussion comparing Pune and Hyderabad. There was a question.. In-spite of having many advantages like it being close to the Financial Capital of India - Mumbai, it being a city which has got full support from the state government, it being the 'Detroit' of India (Automobile capital) etc.. why Pune has always been the third choice for IT companies after Bangalore and Hyderabad. Why are many companies concerned about setting up very big branches in Pune, Vizag and many cities of North India?
 
                         The reason is Pune, Vizag, Chennai and various parts of North India are not 100% safe as per the India Meteorological Department.

                         This department has divided India into various zones based on the probability of getting earthquakes. It is believed that, India is driving into The Asian Continent by a distance of 47 milli meter every year. This is the main reason behind such high frequency and intensity of earthquakes India will be susceptible to in the coming years . Almost 54% of the Indian mainland is vulnerable to earthquakes. India is divided India into various seismic zones (Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). According to this, Zone 5 expects the highest level of seismicity whereas Zone 2 is associated with the lowest level of seismicity.

Zone 5:

             All the North-Eastern States, Himalayas, Northern Gujarat, Rann of Katch, Srinagar come under this Zone. This is highly prone to earthquakes. This zone is called the Highest Damage Risk Zone

Zone 4:

             Delhi, Patna, Bihar, Jammu, Parts of Saurashtra in Gujarat, Mumbai (few parts) fall under this Zone. This zone is called the High Damage Risk Zone.

Zone 3:

             This zone is classified as Moderate Damage Risk Zone. Pune and surrounding areas, Vizag, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Bhopal, Lucknow, Andaman and Nicbar Islands, etc come under this zone.

Zone 2:

            This zone is classified as the Low Damage Risk Zone. Parts of Orissa, Tamil Nadu, many parts of central India come under this category.

Zone 1:

           This zone has very less risk.. in fact negligible risk. Hyderabad, Bangalore, Raipur, Jaipur come under this zone. However, the new classification has removed the concept of Zone 1 since these are not earthquake prone regions.

                         This zoning information is very important for any organization and individual since it enables a better form of disaster preparedness. However, we cannot predict the political issues that may arise and get prepared to face the disasters that will be caused by them even if we choose the best place.