CSIR-NGRI Chief Scientist N with the latest real time monitoring dashboard at NGRI in Hyderabad on January 11, 2023. Purnachandra Rao and his associate R. Rajesh. , Photo credits: G. Ramakrishna
The CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) at Hyderabad has conducted extensive Geophysical, Geotechnical, Hydro-geological and seismic micro-zonation studies at Joshimath, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand Where many houses are undergoing massive evacuation after cracks appeared.
“This multistage study will give a complete picture of the sub-surface structure, major faults and cavities beneath the unstable ground. It is the right time for us to do this as it will better guide us in undertaking any future projects,” Chief Scientist and Environment says N. Purnachandra Rao, head of seismology.
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“We need more data as such detailed studies have not been done in the past. In-depth studies are usually done for specific sites where major infrastructure works are done but, it needs to be done for the entire region. which is not only ecologically fragile but also tectonically unstable, so the pressure doubles,” he says in an exclusive interaction.
NGRI has a network of about 80 seismometers mainly in Uttarakhand for monitoring earthquakes. Densification of these instrument networks and addition of more elaborate systems such as infra-sound sensors, automatic water level meters and pressure sensors to detect signs of any major geo-hazard activity such as landslides, avalanches and floods, can provide an efficient multi- Required to enable parametric early warning system. , scientists say.
“Satellite image monitoring is being done, yet it has limitations of continuous recording and hence, needs to be complemented with on ground systems to record water level and pressure in rivers round the clock. Underground they can look for landslides and avalanches in the form of seismic signals, which can travel several kilometers in a matter of seconds,” says Dr. Rao.
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These signals will be automatically transferred via modem or satellite to a centrally located computer server, enabling quick pin-pointing of hazardous events for real-time analysis, detection and early warning purpose. “We need to act fast because many unstable slopes in the Himalayas are precariously poised to slide, and hundreds of glacial lakes sitting on upper ranges are waiting to erupt in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) due to global warming ,” he warned. ,
Former director of the National Center for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Rao and his team have recently started the first of its kind ‘Environmental Seismology’ group at the institute. The group is upgrading existing field equipment especially in Joshimath and installing new ones in select pockets.
“We are developing a Geohazard Early Warning System (GEWS) using artificial intelligence and machine learning code to automatically analyze seismic signals coming from field stations, identify hazard events, address them in real time To issue an early warning to locate and track them,” says Dr. Rao.
He says, “We have just started and the results are very encouraging, but we need other agencies to pool resources, exchange information and share data and tools for an effective early warning system.” needs to be negotiated with.”
Situated at an altitude of about 6,000 feet on the Himalayan range, Joshimath consists of loose and weathered sedimentary rocks, which have been further eroded and weakened by forest erosion, abnormal rainfall and frequent floods. “A major earthquake in the current scenario could, in fact, shake the entire region,” fears Dr. Rao.
“a mixture of continuous tectonic movements and anthropogenic or human error– such as haphazard construction, rush of pilgrims to the temple town of Badrinath or tourist rush to the trekking and skiing resorts crossing Joshimath, major infrastructure projects, and climate change due to global warming could lead to the present crisis”, he believes. is.
“Construction of mandatory earthquake resistant buildings and a balanced approach between development activities and environmental protection should be the future norm following the recommendations of experts based on scientific studies”, said the scientist.