Archive · 3 Dec 2025
India's New Seismic Zone Map Highlights Himalayan Risk
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a new map that shows which parts of India are at risk of earthquakes.
This map is an update and now includes a new highest risk zone, called zone VI.
This zone includes the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions, like Darjeeling, Sikkim, and parts of the Northeast.
The map was made using advanced methods that look at past earthquakes, active faults, and other factors.
The BIS says that 61% of India's land area, where 75% of the people live, is at risk of moderate to strong earthquakes.
This means that buildings and other structures in these areas need to be built in a way that can withstand earthquakes.
Experts are also calling for better planning and governance to prepare for earthquakes in these high-risk areas.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published a new seismic zonation map under the seventh revision of Indian Standards, 1893.
The entire Himalayan and sub-Himalayan region, including Darjeeling, the Terai, the Dooars, and Sikkim, has been placed in the newly created highest risk zone, VI.
The new classification was done using advanced Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) methodologies.
61% of India's land area, where 75% of the population lives, is prone to moderate to strong tremors.
The new map highlights the need for earthquake-resistant design and construction, as well as better planning and governance in high-risk areas.
- Who
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- What
- Published a new seismic zonation map under the seventh revision of Indian Standards, 1893
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- India, particularly the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions
- Why
- To provide more realistic estimates of seismic activities and to guide earthquake-resistant design and construction
- Organization
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- New Zone
- VI (highest risk)
- Areas Affected
- Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions, including Darjeeling, Sikkim, Northeast, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Gujarat
- Methodology
- Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA)
- Population at Risk
- 75% of India's population
