English
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ, ਇਹ ਖਬਰ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਦੇਖੋ।
Srinagar, Oct 24, 2025
The Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) J&K, and Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) Srinagar Chapter, organized a day-long Capacity Building Workshop on “Earthquake Risk Reduction in J&K” on Friday.
The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, Director NIT Srinagar. The inaugural session was graced by Prof. Roohi Naaz, Dean Research and Consultancy and In-Charge Director, NIT Srinagar, Prof. J.A. Bhat, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. B.A. Mir, Secretary, IGS Srinagar Chapter, and Prof. M.Y. Shah. Ms. Snober Jameel (Deputy Secretary), Government of J&K and Arvind Raina (Assistant Programmer), DMRRR were the guests of honor.
Dr. Falak Zahoor and Dr. Majid Hussain from the Civil Engineering Department served as the coordinators.
Experts discussed the importance of earthquake-resistant design in masonry and RCC structures and the crucial role of engineers, policymakers, and community leaders in reducing seismic risk.
In her presidential address, Prof. Roohi Naaz emphasized the importance of preparedness and the need to explore technological innovations that can help mitigate the impact of earthquakes.
She said that sensor-based systems capable of automatically unlocking doors during tremors could greatly ease evacuation processes during emergencies.
Prof. Roohie said that the 2005 earthquake was a major lesson for all of us. We must continue to work on preparedness, structural resilience, and public awareness to reduce the loss of lives,” she said.
“It is my wishful thinking that one day the pressure building up inside the earth before an earthquake can be accurately predicted, allowing us to prepare in advance,” she added.
Prof. J.A. Bhat, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, called for strict enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes and construction regulations.
He said that awareness among the general public and the construction sector is crucial to ensuring that future infrastructure is resilient.
“Every building plan should be evaluated for disaster resilience before construction. I thank the DMRRR for sponsoring this workshop, which allows professionals and institutions to collaborate on making J&K safer,” Prof. Bhat said.
Addressing the gathering, the Guest of Honor, Ms. Snober Jameel, Deputy Secretary, DMRRR, said that Jammu and Kashmir is among the most disaster-prone regions of the country.
She said the frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing each year due to climate change and environmental degradation.
“Earthquakes are far more devastating than many other disasters because they can undo decades of development in a matter of seconds,” she said.
Ms Snober said that as of now, India does not have any reliable prediction system for earthquakes. It is not the tremors that kill people, it is unsafe buildings. We must focus on resilience, enforce safety codes, and enhance public education to mitigate future losses,” she added.
In his remarks, Prof. B.A. Mir, Secretary, IGS Srinagar Chapter, highlighted that while earthquakes are unpredictable, the impact can be significantly reduced through resilient engineering.
“Soil behavior is uncertain, and earthquakes remain the only natural disaster that cannot be forecasted. However, we can reduce losses through proper design and adherence to building regulations. The foundation of any structure is critical, and when engineering rules are followed, much of the destruction can be prevented,” he said.
In her remarks, Dr. Falak Zahoor, Coordinator of the Workshop, said that capacity building and community awareness are the foundations of disaster resilience.
“Our region lies in one of the most sensitive seismic zones of the country, and it is our collective responsibility to integrate earthquake-resistant design and preparedness in every stage of planning and construction,” she added.
The technical sessions of the workshop featured a series of expert lectures. Dr. Majid Hussain, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, spoke on “Disaster Management with Special Reference to Earthquakes.”
Prof. J.A. Bhat delivered a detailed presentation on “Earthquake-Resistant Design of RCC Structures,” while Prof. A.R. Dar, former Head of the Civil Engineering Department, discussed “Earthquake-Resistant Design of Masonry Structures.”
Ms. Snober Jameel concluded the technical session with a lecture on the “Role of Engineers and Policymakers in Seismic Risk Reduction.”
“This workshop was aimed to enhance awareness and strengthen the technical capacity of engineers, researchers, administrators, and decision-makers engaged in disaster management particularly those dealing with the challenges of earthquake-prone regions like Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
The sessions provided valuable insights into earthquake-resistant design, structural safety practices, and disaster mitigation strategies tailored to the seismic vulnerability of Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants were encouraged to adopt safe design standards and actively contribute to building resilient communities.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks presented by representatives from NIT Srinagar and the DMRRR. They expressed their gratitude to speakers, participants, student teams of Geotechnical Engineering Division, and organizing committee for making the event a success.
