136 earthquakes have rocked India so far this year!

New Delhi: A total of 136 earthquakes have rocked India so far this year and an analysis of data of the last three decades indicates that there has neither been an increase or decrease in the seismicity rate in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Earth Science Minister Harsh Vardhan said a total of 136 earthquakes have occurred in India in the current year so far.
Of these, 114 have taken place in the highest risk zone V, 14 in zone IV, the high damage risk zone, five in zone III, the moderate damage risk zone, and three in zone II, the low damage risk zone.

He said an analysis of past 30 years of quake data suggests that there is no increase or decrease in seismicity rate.
Quoting studies, the minister said the Indian plate moves at the rate of about 5 cm per year towards the northeast.

"Although no committee has been constituted to study and analyse the movement of Indian tectonic plate, several institutes...Are involved in institutional studies," he said.

Responding to a question, he said the April 25 Nepal earthquake resulted in 102 deaths in India -- Bihar (79), UP (19), West Bengal (3) and Rajasthan (1).

Around 13,000 houses were reported to be damaged, he said while agreeing to demands to reassess the figures. He said as most of the houses are 'kuchha' in nature, the figure seems high.

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