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Q5B · Discuss in detail at least 10 significances of Mitigation in a Seismic Zone prone to …
2023-02-07 · Semester V/VII re-exam
Actual older TEE paper · 100 marks · Q1 compulsory; any four of Q2–Q7
Q5B. Discuss in detail at least 10 significances of Mitigation in a Seismic Zone prone to frequent Earthquakes. [10 marks]
Answer
Ten significances of mitigation in an earthquake-prone area
- Life safety. Suitable seismic design reduces collapse risk and deaths.
- Fewer injuries. Anchoring ceilings, shelves and equipment reduces falling-object injuries.
- Lower structural damage. Competent assessment and retrofitting improve vulnerable buildings.
- Continuity of healthcare. Strengthened hospitals and secured equipment support emergency treatment.
- Protected lifelines. Appropriate protection of water, power and communications reduces cascading outages.
- Reduced secondary hazards. Safer utility connections and protected hazardous materials reduce fire or release risks.
- Maintained access. Resilient bridges and roads preserve rescue and relief routes.
- Lower household and business losses. Damage reduction limits displacement, stock loss and business interruption.
- Fairer protection. Prioritising vulnerable housing, schools and essential services protects people with fewer coping resources.
- Safer long-term development. Seismic land-use decisions and sustained building-code implementation avoid recreating preventable vulnerability.
Mitigation reduces likely consequences; it cannot prevent tectonic fault movement or make every structure earthquake-proof. Measures require competent design, implementation and maintenance.