Title: Asia’s Looming Earthquake Crisis: Are India, China, and Japan Prepared for the Big One?
Today, one of the biggest concerns looming over Asia is a frightening question: Where will the next major earthquake strike—and how devastating will it be? The urgency of this question has intensified after the tragic earthquake that hit Myanmar in 2025, causing the death of over 5,000 people. Multiple journalists and observers claim that the actual death toll could be much higher, as Myanmar’s military government is allegedly suppressing the real figures.
Thankfully, India has launched Operation Brahma, a large-scale humanitarian effort to rescue people trapped under the rubble in Myanmar. This shows India’s commitment to regional cooperation, but it also raises concerns about our own preparedness.
The Possibility of a Megaquake in Asia
After the Myanmar earthquake, a chilling warning was published: Could the next megaquake hit Japan? Japanese experts have issued apocalyptic forecasts, suggesting that a massive seismic event is impending. And it’s not just Japan—China and India are also on the radar.
In China, geologists predict an 8.0+ magnitude earthquake in the near future. With high-rise buildings and numerous large dams, the human and structural cost of such a quake could be catastrophic.
Similarly, India is sitting on what scientists call a “seismic time bomb”—particularly in the Himalayan region. Experts believe that a “Great Himalayan Earthquake” is overdue. Historically, this type of quake occurs every few centuries due to the tectonic collision between the Indian and Tibetan plates, which move about 2 meters closer every 100 years. This movement creates enormous friction and pressure underground.
According to geologists, no major quake has occurred in this region for over 70 years, and the built-up pressure has not been released. This means that in the next few decades, a devastating earthquake could strike, affecting over 300 million people and severely damaging infrastructure in Northern India.
India’s Earthquake Vulnerability
Did you know that 59% of India is vulnerable to earthquakes?
The most earthquake-prone regions include:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Bihar
- Northeast India
- Parts of Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh
These fall under Seismic Zones IV and V, which are the highest risk categories.
Even Maharashtra, though farther from the Himalayan fault line, has areas in Zone IV, showing that no region is completely immune.
The Bigger Concern: Lack of Preparedness
While countries like Japan and China have better earthquake resilience mechanisms, India lags far behind. Here’s why:
- Most citizens are not trained or aware of how to act during an earthquake.
- Public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and residential buildings often don’t follow earthquake-resistant codes.
- Building audits are rare, and many structures in high-risk zones may collapse in a major quake.
India needs to take urgent steps:
- Audit existing buildings, especially in high-risk areas.
- Rebuild or retrofit unsafe structures.
- Conduct regular public drills and awareness campaigns.
- Include earthquake safety education in schools.
The Harsh Truth
The question is no longer “if” a megaquake will strike—but when. And sadly, we cannot say with certainty where the worst damage will occur. But all signs point to three regions:
- Northern India
- China’s densely populated regions
- Japan’s Pacific coastline
Each of these nations must prioritize earthquake preparedness. Cooperation between them is also essential. In times of natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts must be set aside so nations can come together and save lives.