Shimla, Mar 6 (UNI) As Himachal Pradesh marks 120 years since the catastrophic Kangra earthquake of 1905, the shockwaves of the tragedy still resonate across the region.
The earthquake, one of the deadliest in Indian history, measured between 7.8 and 7.9 in magnitude and left over 20,000 people dead, 53,000 domestic animals lost, and nearly 100,000 buildings reduced to rubble. The destruction of critical infrastructure, including the aqueduct network, led to prolonged suffering and massive economic losses.
"To honor the victims and reinforce disaster preparedness, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) is organizing a large-scale Disaster Awareness Campaign across the state. This campaign aims to educate communities, particularly the youth, about earthquake preparedness and resilience-building measures.", a letter written by the additional Secretary Revenue and Disaster management Balwan Chand to all Head of Department said.
The key events scheduled for the occasion include evacuation drills across government and private institutions, a Citizen Solidarity March in all district headquarters, and awareness workshops in schools, universities, and healthcare institutions.
The highlight of the initiative is the ShakeOut Drill, which will see thousands participating in "Drop, Cover & Hold" exercises to simulate real-time earthquake response.
Additionally, Gram Sabha meetings throughout April will focus on earthquake-resistant construction practices, ensuring that local communities understand and adopt safer building techniques. The campaign also includes the dissemination of earthquake safety guidelines and hands-on training for students, teachers, and officials on emergency protocols.
In light of past disasters and growing seismic risks, the government has intensified its commitment to minimizing future losses. The State Emergency Response Plan has been revised to include strengthening infrastructure with mandatory earthquake-resistant building codes for new constructions, particularly in high-risk zones.
Special training programs for engineers, masons, and local builders are being conducted to promote disaster-resistant housing. The deployment of seismic monitoring stations across Himachal Pradesh will provide real-time alerts, while disaster preparedness will be integrated into school curricula with routine community drills.
Additionally, following the 2023 monsoon-triggered landslides and flash floods that damaged over 13,000 homes, the government is focusing on climate-adaptive construction and stricter zoning laws to prevent unsafe development in landslide-prone areas.
While such workshops and drills are crucial, their real impact lies in execution during emergencies. Experts argue that sustained follow-up action is needed beyond annual events.
For meaningful change, local authorities must enforce building regulations, ensure regular evacuation drills, and make emergency kits accessible to residents.
With the painful memories of the 1905 disaster still etched in the region’s history, the state's ongoing preparedness efforts aim to ensure that a future earthquake does not bring the same level of devastation. By prioritizing education, infrastructure resilience, and community awareness, Himachal Pradesh moves toward a safer and more disaster-resilient future, Mr Chand added
UNI ML KK