Srinagar: Twenty-one years after the devastating October 8 2005 Kashmir earthquake exposed the region’s vulnerability, Jammu and Kashmir is facing a fresh debate over how far its buildings should go in preparing for th…

Srinagar: Twenty-one years after the devastating October 8 2005 Kashmir earthquake exposed the region’s vulnerability, Jammu and Kashmir is facing a fresh debate over how far its buildings should go in preparing for the next major quake.The issue is unusually stark. India’s current seismic map places parts of Jammu & Kashmir in Zone V, but the Union Territories February 2026 building-rule amendment requires certain categories of buildings to meet Zone VI structural-safety standards.Zone VI itself is no longer part of India’s operative seismic map. The Bureau of Indian Standards withdrew its 2025 seismic code in March, restoring the 2016 standard, under which India has only four zones — II to V.@import url(‘https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Playfair+Display:wght@700&family=Roboto+Slab:wght@400&display=swap’);
.dh-inline-infographic{max-width:900px;margin:0 auto;background-color:#ffffff;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);overflow:hidden;font-family:’Roboto Slab’,serif;text-align:left;position:relative}
.dh-inline-infographic .embed-header{background-color:#0091ac;color:#ffffff;padding:18px;text-align:center}
.dh-inline-infographic .embed-header h2{margin:0;font-family:’Playfair Display’,serif;font-size:15.4px;line-height:1.3}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept{padding:14px 18px;border-left:4px solid #0091ac;margin:12px 18px 4px;background-color:#e6f7fa;font-size:14px}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept-title{font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:4px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.04em;font-size:12px;color:#005f73}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept-text{font-size:14px;line-height:1.5}
.dh-inline-infographic .section-label{padding:4px 18px 0;font-size:12px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.06em;color:#666}
.dh-inline-infographic .section-label.stats-section{padding:0 18px 0;margin-top:-10px}
.dh-inline-infographic .stats-grid{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px;padding:4px 18px 4px;background-color:#ffffff;margin-bottom:0}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-card{flex:1 1 calc(20% – 6px);min-width:120px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,#0091ac 0%,#006a7e 100%);color:#ffffff;border-radius:6px;padding:8px 8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 6px rgba(0,145,172,0.25);transition:transform 0.2s ease,box-shadow 0.2s ease}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-value{font-size:20px;font-weight:700;font-family:’Playfair Display’,serif;margin-bottom:2px;line-height:1.1}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-label{font-size:9px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.04em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.9);opacity:1;line-height:1.2}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-card:hover{transform:translateY(-1px);box-shadow:0 3px 8px rgba(0,145,172,0.35)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-disclaimer{padding:0 18px 0;text-align:center;font-size:11px;color:#999;font-style:italic}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsible{border:2px solid #0091ac;border-radius:8px;margin:0;padding:0;display:block;overflow:hidden;background-color:#ffffff}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsible:not([open]){border-color:transparent;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff,#ffffff) padding-box,linear-gradient(90deg,#0091ac,#FFC314,#0091ac,#FFC314,#0091ac) border-box;background-size:100% 100%,300% 300%;animation:inf-border-move 6s linear infinite}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsible[open]{border-color:#0091ac;background:#ffffff;animation:none}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary{list-style:none;cursor:pointer;display:block;margin:0;padding:0;width:100%}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary::marker{content:””}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-card{display:flex;align-items:stretch;justify-content:flex-start;gap:0;padding:0;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#e6f7fa 0%,#f5f5f5 100%);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-title{font-family:’Playfair Display’,serif;font-size:15.4px;color:#004b5f;letter-spacing:0.03em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-subtitle{font-family:’Roboto Slab’,serif;font-size:11.2px;color:#4b4b4b}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-text{min-width:0;flex:1 1 auto;padding:14px 18px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-title,.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-subtitle{overflow-wrap:anywhere}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-toggle-shell{flex:0 0 58px;min-width:58px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;background-color:#e6f7fa;border-left:1px solid #0091ac}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-btn{background-color:transparent;color:#004b5f;padding:0;border-radius:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0.02em;flex:1 1 auto;text-align:center;min-width:0;display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;transition:background-color 0.2s ease,transform 0.2s ease}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-less{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-more{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-less{display:inline}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-body{padding-bottom:4px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:focus-visible{outline:3px solid #0091ac;outline-offset:-3px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-arrow{width:14px;height:14px;display:block;stroke:currentColor;stroke-width:2.2;fill:none;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;transform-origin:50% 50%;transition:transform 0.3s ease,filter 0.3s ease,stroke-width 0.3s ease,width 0.3s ease,height 0.3s ease}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:hover .inf-collapsed-card{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#eef7fa 0%,#e6f7fa 100%)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:hover .inf-toggle-shell{background-color:#e9f2f4}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:hover .inf-arrow{transform:translateY(2px)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-header-toggle{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary .embed-header{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-collapsed-card{display:none}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-summary{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 58px;align-items:stretch;margin:0;padding:0}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-summary .embed-header{display:block;grid-column:1;grid-row:1;padding-right:18px}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle{display:inline-flex;grid-column:2;grid-row:1;position:static;z-index:5;align-self:stretch;width:58px;height:auto;min-height:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:0;background-color:#0091ac;border-left:2px solid #0091ac;color:#ffffff;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,0.1);transition:all 0.3s ease}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle:hover{background-color:#006a7e;border-left-color:#0091ac;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,0.2)}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle .inf-arrow{transform:rotate(180deg);width:16px;height:16px;stroke-width:2.5;filter:drop-shadow(0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.15))}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle:hover .inf-arrow{transform:rotate(180deg) translateY(2px)}
.dh-inline-infographic .key-points-grid{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;padding:8px 18px 6px;gap:12px;background-color:#ffffff;margin:0 0 18px}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-card{flex:1 1 calc(33.333% – 16px);min-width:220px;background-color:#f5f5f5;border-radius:8px;padding:12px;font-size:14px;line-height:1.4;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);transition:transform 0.2s ease,box-shadow 0.2s ease}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-title{font-weight:600;margin-bottom:4px;color:#004b5f;font-size:14px}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-body{font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-card:hover{transform:translateY(-2px);box-shadow:0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.12)}
@keyframes inf-border-move{0%{background-position:0 0,0% 50%}100%{background-position:0 0,100% 50%}}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark){
.dh-inline-infographic{background-color:#1a1a1a;box-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#e0e0e0}
.dh-inline-infographic .embed-header{background-color:#006a7e}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept{background-color:#0a2028;border-left-color:#0091ac}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept-title{color:#4dc8e0}
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept-text{color:#e0e0e0}
.dh-inline-infographic .section-label{color:#aaa}
.dh-inline-infographic .stats-grid{background-color:#1a1a1a}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-card{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#006a7e 0%,#004b5f 100%);box-shadow:0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.4)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-disclaimer{color:#777}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsible{background-color:#1a1a1a;border-color:#006a7e}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsible[open]{background:#1a1a1a;border-color:#006a7e}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-card{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0a2028 0%,#111a1f 100%);border-bottom-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.08)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-title{color:#4dc8e0}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-subtitle{color:#bbb}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-toggle-shell{background-color:#0a2028;border-left-color:#005a6e}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-btn{color:#0091ac}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle{background-color:#006a7e}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:hover .inf-collapsed-card{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0f2830 0%,#0a2028 100%)}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-summary:hover .inf-toggle-shell{background-color:#0f2830}
.dh-inline-infographic .key-points-grid{background-color:#1a1a1a}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-card{background-color:#2d2d2d;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.06)}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-title{color:#4dc8e0}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-body{color:#e0e0e0}.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-card:hover{background-color:#383838;box-shadow:0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.4)}
}
@media (max-width:700px){
.dh-inline-infographic .main-concept{margin-left:12px;margin-right:12px;padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px}
.dh-inline-infographic .section-label,.dh-inline-infographic .section-label.stats-section,.dh-inline-infographic .stats-grid,.dh-inline-infographic .inf-disclaimer{padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px}
.dh-inline-infographic .stat-card{flex:1 1 calc(33.333% – 6px);min-width:100px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-card{gap:0;padding:0}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-text{padding:12px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-title{font-size:13.8px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-collapsed-subtitle{font-size:10.4px}
.dh-inline-infographic .inf-toggle-shell{flex-basis:50px;min-width:50px}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-summary{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 50px}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-summary .embed-header{padding-right:12px}
.dh-inline-infographic details[open] .inf-header-toggle{width:50px}
.dh-inline-infographic .key-points-grid{padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px}
.dh-inline-infographic .key-point-card{flex:1 1 100%}
}Quick summary – click for full detailsConcise summary of key highlightsJ&K’s seismic dilemma over Zone V or VI returns 21 years after quakeIn one lineJammu and Kashmir debates earthquake building standards amid shifting seismic zones and growing risks.Key points• Conflicting seismic zone standardsIndia’s map places J&K in Zone V, but building rules briefly required Zone VI before the standard was withdrawn.• Vulnerability revealed by historyThe devastating October 2005 Kashmir earthquake caused massive casualties and structural damage across the region.• High liquefaction risk in SrinagarSoil data analysis shows severe susceptibility to earthquake-induced liquefaction throughout much of Srinagar.• Economic impact of safer constructionStricter building codes raise construction costs by 10-15%, forcing a balance between upfront expenses and long-term safety.Key statistics21 yearsTime elapsed since 2005 earthquake8Earthquake magnitude in 20051,336Deaths in J&K during the 2005 quake112,000Houses damaged in J&K10-15%Increase in building costs for tougher standardsProcessed with AI. Reviewed by DH Digital Team.The proposed 2025 code had introduced Zone VI as the highest-risk category and covered the Himalayan region.For Jammu & Kashmir, the issue is more than nomenclature.The October 2005 earthquake, centred near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killed about 73,000 people across Pakistan and 1,336 in J&K, according to government records.More than 112,000 houses in J&K were fully, severely or partially damaged.The scientific picture of Srinagar’s vulnerability has also become sharper.A study published in June 2026 analysed soil data from 87 sites across Srinagar and found high to severe susceptibility to earthquake-induced liquefaction across much of the city, particularly along the Jhelum, where loose alluvial deposits and shallow groundwater can worsen ground failure during strong shaking.The government is meanwhile undertaking a broader Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of J&K to identify disaster risks and guide mitigation.The Zone VI episode has also exposed the economic side of earthquake safety. The withdrawn 2025 code triggered concerns over the cost of tougher construction standards, with estimates cited during the debate suggesting a 10-15% increase in building costs in Zones V and VI and potentially higher costs for infrastructure.Jammu and Kashmir earthquake risk puts India’s preparedness gap under scrutinyThat leaves Jammu & Kashmir at the centre of a national dilemma: how much should be spent on stronger buildings before an earthquake, when the cost of doing so is immediate but the cost of failing to prepare may come decades later?For a region that has already seen the consequences of a major Himalayan earthquake, the Zone V-versus-VI debate is ultimately about what matters more than the label — whether the buildings standing when the next quake comes can withstand it.

Source: Deccan Herald