DEHRADUN: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a new seismic map, placing the entire state of Uttarakhand, including its plains and mountainous regions, into seismic zone 6—the highest category for earthquake vulnerability. This revision supersedes the previous classification, which had divided the state between Zone 4 and Zone 5.

The new classification signals that any future seismic event could cause uniform, high-level damage across all parts of Uttarakhand. The shift mandates a complete overhaul of infrastructure development policies, as the state must now adhere to stringent, unified building codes.

"The implication of being placed entirely in Zone 6 is that infrastructure damage, should an earthquake strike, will be uniform across every region," noted an official familiar with the development strategy. Previously, the older building bylaws offered slight concessions for development in areas classified under Zone 4.

With the entire state now under the most severe classification, building codes must be standardised to withstand the highest seismic risks, potentially up to magnitude 8. This presents a formidable financial challenge for Uttarakhand, which already operates under constrained economic resources. Developing infrastructure—including roads, bridges, government offices, and schools—to withstand such powerful tremors will require significant capital investment.