Geographical analysis

Abstract

Abstract Vulnerability is a subject of great concern. Be it natural or manmade hazard, society is at the stake of losing its property and life in both events. This work will include the assessment of built-up environment against earthquake using Rapid Visual Screening process. The study region consists of a high population density. This is one of the highly clustered areas of this region. The acceptance of modern technique in the construction practices is still lacking in our society. The boost in the urbanization has resulted in haphazard construction of multistory concrete houses. In a developing country like India growth of urban centers is tremendous and also combined with unplanned growth of cities. Similar is the case with the urban trend in Uttarakhand. Negligence to the skilled construction practices due to enormous concentration of population has led to a boom in unsafe infrastructure. Lack of space and continuous migration from hills has resulted in multistory construction. This area of Shiwalik foothills lies in zone IV under seismic zonation of India, therefore poses seismic vulnerability. This database can also estimate the risk that the area poses. Keeping in view the loss estimation and life loss happened during an earthquake event it is becoming common to carry out this kind of research work to assess vulnerability of buildings. This practice is still not well accepted in the developing nations. Assessing vulnerability of physical infrastructure will help in disaster mitigation and management before earthquake strikes.

Keywords: Vulnerability, Rapid Visual Screening, Disaster Mitigation