India Updates Seismic Zonation Map

India has released a new seismic zonation map under the 2025 Earthquake Design Code by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), classifying the entire Himalayan arc—from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh as Zone VI, the highest-risk zone. About 61% of India’s landmass now falls under moderate to high seismic risk. The update reflects advances in tectonic science and mandates stricter building codes, city planning, and earthquake-resistant infrastructure to mitigate the impact of potential magnitude 8–9 earthquakes, enhancing disaster preparedness nationwide.