Srinagar- The Kashmir valley is highly earthquake prone due to it’s location in the unstable Himalayan range. Within the valley are some areas that are at higher risk of damage like the old city of Srinagar.
The old city also known as Shehr-e-Khaas is particularly susceptible to earthquake damage due to old dilapidated buildings that can fall anytime.
Syed Sahil (name changed) an architect said
that there are a lot of old structures in this area that can prove fatal during
an earthquake.
“Some of these structures are more than 150
years old and are not fit for living anymore,” Sahil said.
The matter of concern is that people are still
living in houses that have been declared unfit for habitation by the PW(R&B)
department.
“It’s fine as long as it is standing still.
Not everyone is capable enough to build a new house,” said a local requesting anonymity.
These structures have witnessed major
earthquakes in the past like in October 2005 and October 2015 and cannot withstand
more damage.
The massive earthquake of October 2005 that
left more than 87,000 people dead caused structural damage too in the valley. In
the old city particularly, few houses reportedly collapsed and many others
suffered damages.
However, the fact that they stand still
till date makes a person wonder what kind of architectural designs were
followed to make them.
“ I won’t say the structures are faulty.
Their serviceability duration is over but they are still standing because of
the traditional earthquake resistant architecture of Kashmir known as Dhajji
Deewari and Taq,” said Sahil.
Kashmir lies in Seismic Zone V or high risk zone. The valley witnesses micro-earthquakes quite often while being at risk of major earthquakes as well. It is in need of earthquake resistant structures.
Dhajji Deewari comes from the Persian
language meaning ‘Patchwork Quilt Wall’ describing the appearance of the style.
In this construction system, the walls are made of timber frames within-fills
of light thin panels made by close packaging of mud mortar, stone and ballast.
In case of an earthquake, the small panels distribute the energy evenly.
Taq designates a timber laced masonry
building. A taq building can be several floors high but still withstand
earthquake because of the combined use of masonry and wood.
“These architectural styles using wood are
flexible in comparison to concrete that stays at one place and tends to break,”
Sahil added.
Besides these old structures the other
major concern for the people for Shehr-e-Khaas is congested localities and no
open spaces.
“Whenever an earthquake occurs we have
nowhere to go and protect ourselves like people in Uptown areas,” a local from
Zaina Kadal said.
The congested narrow lanes and lack of open
spaces put the people of old city at higher risk unlike Uptown where there are
broad roads and open spaces for people to be safe in case an earthquake strikes.
According to Sahil, the need of the hour is
to lay emphasis on how the architecture of Kashmir and particularly old city can
be made earthquake resistant. Also, safety audit of structures needs to be done.
“People need to be made aware about the consequences of living in such structures and also government must help people who can’t afford to build new houses,” he said.
