ABSTRACT
The Himalayas have always been vulnerable to various disasters (earthquakes, landslides, floods and more) having a devastating socio-economic impact on the country’s population, putting much more strain on an already stressed economy. Uttarakhand is a state in northern India that is covered in young mountains and has faced multiple disasters every year.
Schools and hospitals considered as lifeline buildings play a vital part in the aftermath of crises. The coping capability and multi-hazard vulnerability are the most critical considerations to acknowledge, and their risk should be readily available for improved planning and decision-making.
Multi-hazard risk assessment surveys have been conducted at 50 schools (with 285 building blocks) in Haridwar District. The hazard assessment is divided into two types of surveys: Firstly, Building level that include Rapid Visual Screening (RVS), Non-Structural Risk Assessment (NSRA), Fire Safety Audit, and Secondly campus-level that include vulnerability analysis for earthquake, flood, industrial hazard, landslide, and wind.
This study aims to identify hazard vulnerabilities and unrecognized activities in the area that increase the multi-hazard risk of the schools. The analysis findings should be used to prioritize hazard preparation, retrofitting, prospective building activities, and decision-making to reduce risk and brace the school for potential disasters.
