DREAMS ON FAULTLINES

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Headlines such as “Mumbai: Six tremors felt in Palghar, two-year-old fleeing home dies,” “Quakes: How prepared are we?” “Light-intensity earthquake of 2.7 magnitude hits north of Mumbai; third to strike Maharashtra in 24 hours,” “Mumbai feels tremors from earthquake 130 km away in Dahanu,” and “Mumbai’s eastern suburbs most vulnerable to earthquakes, finds IIT-Bombay study” repeatedly flashing across newspapers, prompted me to assess the city’s seismic vulnerability. This investigation led to the conclusion that Mumbai and its surrounding regions fall under Zone III—a moderate damage risk zone—according to the BIS classification of Seismic Zones of India.

However, the persistent warning signs flashing across newspapers prompted me to dig deeper and understand the history of seismic activities in the city, the underlying geological conditions that though overlooked are prevalent till date, the current hydro-geological scenario and other contributing factors that could escalate the risk from moderate damage to severe damage. These critical aspects are examined in detail in this category, Dreams on Faultline.

While this research focuses on Mumbai, the findings and strategies discussed here can serve as a framework for other urban centers facing similar seismic threats. By integrating scientific research with urban policy and planning, Dreams on Faultline aims to develop a comprehensive methodology for earthquake resilience that can be adapted and implemented across different regions. Ultimately, the goal is to initiate a conversation on the need for proactive measures—ensuring that cities not only grow but also safeguard their inhabitants and built environments against the unpredictable forces of nature.

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