Uttarakhand Plans to Expand Earthquake Early Warning Network to 500 Sensors

Dehradun | 12 March 2026 The Uttarakhand government has announced plans to significantly strengthen its earthquake monitoring system by expanding the number of warning sensors across the state. During the ongoing budget session in Gairsain, the government informed the Assembly that 169 sensors have already been installed under the Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) to detect seismic activity and provide early alerts to residents. Responding to questions raised by MLA Qazi Nizamuddin, parliamentary affairs minister Subodh Uniyal said that while most sensors are functioning, some occasionally stop working due to power disruptions in remote areas. He stated, “The alternative power supply arrangement is everywhere. At present, 128 sensors are operational, while 41 are non-functional. They keep getting repaired, so the number of working sensors keeps increasing or decreasing.” The government also confirmed that a technical team from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee continuously works to address technical issues and maintain the system. Officials revealed that about ₹115 crore has already been spent on installing the existing sensors. The state now plans to expand the network to 500 sensors under the National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Programme (NERMP). According to the government statement, “Under the National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Programme (NERMP), the state government plans to increase the number of sensors to 500.” These sensors will be placed on priority in sensitive geological zones such as the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), and Main Central Thrust (MCT), along with areas near the Uttarakhand–Nepal and Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand borders. The government said that the final locations for the sensors will be decided after detailed geological surveys once the project receives approval. The proposed expansion is expected to cost around ₹153.44 crore with funding in a 90:10 ratio. Officials also highlighted that Uttarakhand has recently been placed in a higher seismic risk category under Indian Standard IS 1893:2025, making earthquake preparedness a top priority. Disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said the state aims not only to update regulations but also to encourage safer construction practices across the region. Uttarakhand Plans to Expand Earthquake Early Warning Network to 500 Sensors The Uttarakhand government has announced plans to strengthen its earthquake monitoring system by increasing the number of sensors across the state. During the budget session in Gairsain, the government informed the Assembly that 169 sensors have already been installed under the Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) to detect seismic activity and provide early alerts. Replying to questions from MLA Qazi Nizamuddin, parliamentary affairs minister Subodh Uniyal said that currently 128 sensors are operational while 41 are temporarily non-functional due to technical or power issues in remote areas. He said, “The alternative power supply arrangement is everywhere. At present, 128 sensors are operational, while 41 are non-functional. They keep getting repaired, so the number of working sensors keeps increasing or decreasing.” The government also stated that around ₹115 crore has been spent so far on installing these sensors. To further strengthen earthquake preparedness, the state plans to increase the network to 500 sensors under the National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Programme (NERMP). The sensors will be installed in sensitive geological areas such as the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, Main Boundary Thrust and Main Central Thrust. Officials said the expansion project is estimated to cost about ₹153.44 crore and the exact locations will be decided after detailed geological surveys. According to disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, the government is focusing not only on improving warning systems but also on promoting safer construction practices to reduce earthquake risks in the state.