Earthquake in Tehran Serious Issue: Professor

Speaking at the first specialized seminar on management and prevention of damages from natural disasters, Fahimifar said many earthquakes and other natural disasters have inflicted huge damages and losses on the country over the past years, but no measures have yet been taken in this regard.  

Iran is situated on a seismic fault line, and earthquakes are frequent in Iran. Some 950 quakes have hit the country since 1991, killing about 17,600 people and injuring another 53,500.

According to expert studies, the fault lines around Tehran are sliding and gathering energy, and there is a strong likelihood of an earthquake striking the Iranian capital.

On the basis of studies, the probability of a quake above seven degrees on the Richter scale in the upcoming years in Tehran currently stands very high and this is expected to increase.

In general, the southern part of Iran capital city of Tehran is vulnerable to tremors due to the existence of a soft ground, high buildings, population density, and narrow and crowded streets.

“Although drought is the greatest concern of the country, we are annually witnessing several flash floods in the mountain villages.” 

Referring to the fact that buildings in Tehran are incapable of withstanding a probable earthquake, he strongly criticized the inappropriate construction plans in this city.

Chancellor of Amir-Kabir University, criticizing the officials for not benefiting from the world’s successful experiences on preventing and eliminating destructive effects of natural disasters, highlighted the need for constructing strong and quakeproof buildings in the capital, adding that by using internal and external expert experiences, natural disasters and relevant damages and losses can be controlled sooner and better than ever.

SN/SRM/IS

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MNA