Sounding a warning

delhi is the third most quake-prone city in the world and an estimated 38,000 people would die if a powerful earthquake hits it. Building collapse will cause half the deaths. The toll may mount due to emergency response problems, medical care problems and fires.

This has been stated by a recent study 'Global Earthquake Safety Intiative', jointly conducted by the California-based GeoHazards International and Disaster Management Planning Wing of the un Centre for Regional Development. The study rated Mumbai as the ninth most quake-vulnerable city.

Kathmandu with a possible 70,000 deaths topped the list. The second most quake-prone city was Istanbul, the fourth Manila and the fifth Islamabad.

Under its pilot project, 21 cities were studied to assess the earthquake vulnerability. The study warns that 2,50,000 people could die from earthquakes in these 21 cities in the next 50 years.