Complacency in an earthquake zone: Are Mokokchung’s buildings ready for the big one?

Architect Martemsü warns that many buildings in Mokokchung may be at risk of collapse during a major earthquake, as they lack essential safeguards.

Nagas living in Mokokchung may be unknowingly putting their lives at risk, as many buildings in the region could fail during a major earthquake, warns Architect Martemsü. Despite being situated in Seismic Zone V, one of India’s most earthquake-prone areas, the region has not yet experienced a significant seismic event. This has led to a dangerous complacency among residents and builders alike, with many structures in Mokokchung lacking the necessary safeguards to withstand a major quake.

Martemsü pointed out that many Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) buildings in Mokokchung, including one and two-storey structures, are potentially unsafe. “Many of these buildings are considered hazardous due to poor planning and execution,” he noted. “Given our seismic risk, it’s crucial to follow specific steps to ensure structural safety during an earthquake.”

He elaborated on these critical steps:

“Firstly, the foundation needs to be properly designed according to the soil type. Second, the shape of the house should be kept as simple as possible—like squares or rectangles—to prevent asymmetrical movement during an earthquake. Third, the steel reinforcement in RCC must be tied in specific ways to resist seismic forces. I’ve observed many buildings in Mokokchung failing in this regard. Lastly, parking spaces on ground floors should be avoided as they weaken the structure. The consequences of such design flaws were evident during the Türkiye-Syria earthquake of 2024.”

“These are the basic steps,” he added, “but there are more intricate details that are too technical to discuss in this context.”

Martemsü also shed light on the importance of building bye-laws, explaining, “We’ve discussed how buildings need to meet very specific criteria to be built safely. Bye-laws are these standardized criteria set forth by the center to ensure safe and livable buildings. It’s compiled in the National Building Code, and it contains rules on every aspect of buildings, whether it be electrical work, plumbing, permissible building heights, as well as fire safety. For example, we could say that the fire at the MMC Mall was partly due to a lapse in not following building codes.”

However, implementing these codes in Nagaland presents its own challenges. “Why it’s not followed is mainly due to Article 371A, which doesn’t allow any act of parliament to take effect in Nagaland,” Martemsü explained. “At the same time, residents aren’t used to the system of getting approvals to begin construction. When I was working in the city, having a balcony that extended too far out could get the project rejected. I don’t think our people are ready to have someone else tell them what they can and can’t do on their own land.”

Adding to the complexity, Martemsü pointed out, “States tend to have their own building codes and bye-laws too. Nagaland also has one, but we haven’t been able to enforce them without municipal councils. Whether the risk will be taken seriously and building codes implemented here is another hurdle by itself.”

When asked if there is a lack of awareness regarding proper construction practices in Mokokchung, Martemsü agreed. “Yes, very much so,” he said. “This is a vexing issue for architects in Nagaland. Nagas have traditionally built their own homes, and there may be a reluctance to change this practice. Additionally, many residents view the fees for professional services as unaffordable or unnecessary.”

Martemsü also discussed the broader issue of the undervaluing of architects in India. “Architects are generally undermined in India due to policies,” he explained. “In India architects aren’t mandatorily required for building houses. If I’m not mistaken it was a court ruling, I believe because of India’s large rural population. At the same time engineers are also allowed to sign off on documents without the inclusion of an architect. This causes people to hire just engineers because they feel they’re saving expenses by hiring only one specialist.”

He elaborated on the differences between engineers and architects. “I would say an engineer is a more structural, rectangular thinker. In the sense that they set parameters and would work inside it. Architects are more of a combination of the sciences and humanities so we tend to work in a more circular system, we design and plan for minute details that most people would consider inconsequential or even unnecessary. There’s a phrase that says ‘good design is like a fridge, when it works you don’t notice it, but when it doesn’t work it stinks’.”

Martemsü emphasized the value of architects in ensuring quality of life. “I would say if a person believes the quality of his life isn’t affected by their home then it’s alright for them not to commission an architect. Otherwise, I feel every person deserves to be treated with dignity in any building. Many houses would be considered a human rights violation with the way they are designed. And architects make sure your house can be realized as a home.”

MT