Need to assess the seismic vulnerability of buildings: Laloo

SHILLONG, OCT 24: RC Laloo, Deputy Chief Minister today inaugurated the 3 Day Specialized Training Programme on “Seismic Safety Assessment of Building in Rapid Visual Screening and Retrofitting” for Engineers, Architects and Town Planners of various State Departments at Shillong Club, Shillong.

The programme was organized by the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The inaugural programme was also attended by PW Ingty, Additional Chief Secretary in charge Revenue and Disaster Management, HB Marak, Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, I Mawlong, Executive Director, SDMA, Prof. Chandan Ghosh and Dr Amir Ali Khan from National Institute of Disaster Management among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Laloo said the State of Meghalaya has experienced several earthquakes in the past, being in the Zone V of the seismic map of India. Stating that the threat of earthquakes of big and small magnitudes always looms large, Prof. Laloo said that resilience building practices such as Rapid Visual Screening and Retrofitting has become the need of the hour.

Prof Laloo stressed the urgent need to assess the seismic vulnerability of buildings in urban areas of Meghalaya as an essential component of a comprehensive earthquake disaster risk management policy.

Informing that the results from Rapid Visual Screening can be used for a variety of applications ranging from increasing awareness among city residents regarding seismic vulnerability of buildings to identifying simplified retrofitting requirements for vulnerable buildings, Prof. Laloo said that recent earthquakes have shown that many such buildings are seismically vulnerable and should be considered for retrofitting and different conventional as well as state of the art on seismic retrofitting techniques are available to increase the strength and or ductility of reinforced and un reinforced concrete structures.

Hoping that the training will delve on the systems, policies and methodologies for RVS and seismic retrofitting of existing structures, Prof. Laloo said that this will help enhance the capacity of government officials.

The resource persons for the training include Prof. Chandan Ghosh and Dr. Amir Ali Khan from NIDM, New Delhi, Dr. Devesh Walia, NEHU, Col. Gaurav Bhatia and guest faculties, scientists from NIT, Shilong, IMD, NEC and NEHU.

The topics for 3 day training includes “Manipur Earthquake-2016: Response and Preparedness”, “Seismic Vulnerability of NE region”, Construction materials and quality checking in Shillong-discussion and opinion exercises”, “Consultation of RVS format for buildings in Shillong”, “Building performance vs. Structural safety assessment- case study”, “Fire/building safety auditing and compliance”, “Construction site visit in Shillong and Old and ongoing structures”, “RVS data collection and surveillance by web GIS”, “Development of city specific guideline for EQ, safe construction” and  “Feedback on RVS for RCC buildings” to be followed by panel discussion.

By Our Reporter