Imagine the ground shaking under your feet. Buildings start moving, and people run in fear. This may sound like a scene from a film, but it could become real in the Himalayan region. Scientists have been warning us about a possible big earthquake, which could be stronger than any we have seen in many years.
What is Causing the Risk?
Deep under the ground, huge plates of rock called tectonic plates are always moving. One of them, the Indian Plate, is slowly pushing into another called the Eurasian Plate. This movement does not always happen smoothly. Sometimes the plates get stuck.
When these plates finally move, they release a large amount of energy, which causes an earthquake. Experts believe that this part of the Earth has been stuck for hundreds of years. That means the pressure is growing, and a big earthquake could happen any time.
Recent Earthquake
On March 28, 2025, a very strong earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit Myanmar. Thousands of people died, and many were hurt. Experts believe this earthquake is a sign that pressure is building in the region.
In India, places like Delhi, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeast are in zones marked as high-risk. Recently, some small earthquakes were also felt in Delhi. These small shocks are warnings that something bigger might come.
How Strong Could the Earthquake Be?
Scientists believe that the Great Himalayan Earthquake could be as strong as 8.2 magnitude or even more. That would be much stronger than the Nepal earthquake in 2015, which had a magnitude of 7.8 and caused huge damage. Some studies even suggest the earthquake could reach magnitude 9, which has not happened in this area for nearly 900 years.
If such a strong quake hits now, it could cause serious damage to life and property, especially in big cities with a lot of people.
Are We Prepared?
Countries like Japan and Chile also face big earthquakes, but they are better prepared. They have strong buildings, regular drills in schools and offices, and clear safety plans.
In India, many buildings are not designed to handle strong earthquakes. Often, construction rules are not followed. Many schools, hospitals, and homes have not been checked for safety in years. There are also not enough trained experts to check or repair unsafe buildings.
What Should Be Done?
There is still time to act. India has already started working with technical institutes like IIT-Kanpur and BITS Pilani to train people in earthquake safety. But more steps are needed:
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More training for engineers and builders
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Regular earthquake drills in schools, colleges, and offices
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Emergency plans in every town and village
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Awareness campaigns so people know what to do during an earthquake
Being prepared does not mean we are afraid. It means we are smart and ready. Earthquakes cannot be stopped, but we can reduce the damage by preparing early. No one can say exactly when the Great Himalayan Earthquake will happen. But scientists agree that it is not a question of "if", but "when".
