Structural Safety Audit for Buildings in Himachal to Boost Disaster Resilience

Shimla, July 30: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved a structural safety audit of buildings across the state to assess and enhance disaster resilience. The audit aims to identify vulnerabilities and implement retrofitting measures to minimize structural damage risks during natural disasters.

The Cabinet also approved the recommendations of a sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, which include making earthquake-resistant construction mandatory. The committee was formed to review and strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and rehabilitation framework.

To improve disaster response, the integration of Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire Services, and SDRF with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) has also been proposed.

Further, new construction regulations mandate leaving 5 meters from drains and 7 meters from rivers and streams, replacing the earlier norms of 3 and 5 meters respectively. This comes in light of last monsoon’s devastation along water bodies.