Buildings in Shimla vulnerable to natural disasters

High-rise buildings in Shimla (India) are at risk from earthquakes.

A large number of concrete structures are built upon fragile slopes in Shimla, which is located in what is classified as seismic zone IV.  Part of the city is located on the slopes of the Himalaya Mountain Range.

It is even feared that an earthquake could trigger a chain collapse of buildings on lesser slopes down below.  This would be exacerbated by landslides and hillslips as a result of any major seismic activity.

ICLEI’s Resilient Communities & Cities Initiative is aimed at mainstreaming disaster resilience in the planning and decision-making processes of local governments. For more information please contact: resilient.communities@iclei.org.

Shimla is one of 15 local governments in India that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Southern Asia, please visit www.iclei.org/southasia.

Source:  “Concrete buildings make Shimla vulnerable to quake”, India Info, 14 October 2005.

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