Earthquake-ready Delhi: Sirens, shelters, and a new disaster force on the way

In a bid to strengthen the national capital’s disaster readiness, the Delhi government has expedited its long-pending earthquake preparedness plan and announced the creation of a dedicated State Disaster Management Force (SDMF), according to a report by ToI.

The move comes amid growing concerns over the city’s vulnerability to seismic events, especially in densely populated areas, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma noted in a recent meeting.

According to officials, the plan will emphasise community-based disaster preparedness (CBDP), empowering residents as first responders during emergencies. It will focus on resilient housing, establishing a network of shelters, and rolling out an advanced early warning dissemination system (EWDS) capable of sending alerts via sirens, satellite phones, and mass messaging platforms.

“Specialised disaster response units will be deployed across the capital to deal with calamities while communities will be actively involved in assessing risks and developing mitigation strategies,” said the officials.

Verma highlighted Delhi’s seismic vulnerability, particularly in unauthorised colonies, heritage structures, and unregulated buildings. He recalled that during a recent conference organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) flagged the delay in finalising the city’s earthquake plan, which has been in the works for over two years. “The chief secretary asked officials to expedite the earthquake plan, coordinate with NDMA and finalise the blueprint at the earliest,” the officials said.

Verma also noted the importance of a comprehensive disaster management strategy, which includes retrofitting high-risk buildings, incentivising safer construction practices, and conducting fire safety and structural audits for schools, hospitals, government buildings, and other high-footfall areas.

While Delhi studies similar plans in states like Gujarat and Orissa, sources indicated that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) faces significant challenges before the plan can be implemented. “At present, DDMA lacks ground-level staff and foot soldiers, especially after the removal of most civil defence volunteers during the previous govt's tenure,” a government source said.

The shortage of specialised personnel—structural engineers, seismic experts, and microzonation specialists—is another pressing concern, as these professionals are crucial for conducting detailed building surveys and assessing structural vulnerabilities.

With nearly 30% of Delhi’s population living in unauthorised colonies, many predating modern building codes, the scale of retrofitting required is enormous. Officials also pointed to the need for better coordination among agencies like the Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the revenue department to ensure effective safety audits and structural improvements.

To bridge the preparedness gap, the source added, “There is a need for immediate formation of SDMF with specially trained officers, strategically stationed across Delhi for rapid deployment during emergencies. The force could then be equipped and trained to handle large-scale disasters and provide immediate relief and rescue operations.”

(With inputs from ToI)