Tehran’s Dilapidated Buildings Must Be Evacuated

Kazemi added that the Jaika Research Institute began its expert studies on earthquakes in Tehran two years ago and delivered the results to Tehran Municipality and other relevant institutions.

“Unfortunately, the relevant authorities have not yet paid serious attention to the information provided in this research,” he said.

He added that according to the information provided in this research, some old areas in Tehran such as District 17 should be evacuated soon since an unprecedented human tragedy will occur in this area if it is struck by an earthquake.

Previous experience shows the highest earthquake casualties are determined by the time an earthquake occurs; the hours immediately following an earthquake are also significant because those under rubble may die if not rescued within a short time.

He pointed out the danger inherent in the small narrow alleyways of Tehran, especially in its old parts, that will cause considerable difficulties in rescue and assistance procedures. Natural gas pipelines in all parts of Tehran are another serious threat; they will cause a large conflagration, which will be a major factor in increasing casualties.

He stated Tehran lies on three earthquake fault lines located in the northern, eastern and southern parts of the city, where the majority of old, highly vulnerable buildings are located.

He said that according to the research conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Tehran Municipality, 60 to 70 percent of Tehran consists of areas vulnerable to an earthquake, adding a strong earthquake could devastate 70 to 80 percent of these areas. In addition to the old buildings in Tehran, there are also new buildings, which have been constructed for profiting and, as a result, are not quakeproof. “The weakness of these buildings is due to their non-standard building materials and low construction quality,” he added.

Rescue workers will face more problems in their tasks, due to a lack of management. Despite many rescue and assistant services including the Basij, the Islamic Republic Guards Corps (IRGC), the Red Crescent and the municipalities, it is not clear which force will shoulder the responsibility to manage, harmonize the assistance and rescue procedures.

Kazemi said that to lessen Tehran’s vulnerability to earthquakes, two main jobs must be undertaken immediately; first the general public needs to be provided with detailed information about earthquake preparation, secondly buildings must be quakeproofed according to the standard building codes. However, as Kazemi points out, no institution is currently determined to take the responsibility of public education and information regarding this significant and hazardous issue. He singled out the Seismology Research Institute particularly in this regard, citing no efficient measures have yet been taken by this organization.

He also considered the supervising engineers, under the charge of the municipality and engineering organizations to be responsible for the quakeproofing processes of buildings, adding there is legal recourse to deal with violating engineers. The blame however, Kazemi reiterated, does not entirely lie with the supervising engineers who have very low salaries.

Owners, Kazemi concluded, will be encouraged to build quake-resistant buildings if the unnecessary, restrictive, and time-consuming laws of building construction are lifted by the municipality.  

JH/DWN/IS
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MNA