M. Kashif Nazir, Imran Sarwar Bajwa, M. Imran Khan [2006], "A Conceptual Framework of Earthquake Disaster Management System (EDMS) for Quetta City using GIS", in IEEE 1st International Conference on Advances in Space Technologies, (ICAST 2006), Islamabad, Pakistan, Aug 2006, pp:117-120

1. Earthquake Disaster Management System (EDMS) for
Quetta City Using GIS
Muhammad Kashif Nazir1, Imran Sarwar Bajwa1, Muhammad Imran Khan2
1Faculty f Computer and Emerging Sciences,
Balochitan University if Information Technology and Management Sciences, Quetta Pakistan
2 NesPak, Islamabad, Pakistan
Kashifspacian@hotmail.com, Imransbajwa@yahoo.com, imrangis@htomail.com
Abstract Due to the construction of new port at Gawader Quetta
has acquired important position in this region.
This paper, about Earthquake-Disaster Management Samungali air base and Quetta international airport are
System of Quetta City Using GIS, point up how the located here. Apart from this there are many head
effects of earthquakes can be minimized. For this offices of national, multinational and international
purpose it proposes two strategies Preparedness for organizations. As a result, many leading companies and
when the disaster occurs and Hazard mitigation and investors are establishing or looking to establish their
emergency response. The Earthquake Disaster offices in Quetta. Quetta lies in the active seismic
Preparedness Plan is essentially a plan that identifies region; therefore earthquakes occur from time to time.
weaknesses and threats to the urban environment and The worst earthquake occurred in May, 1935, when a
proposes strategies to overcome these weaknesses. large part of Quetta was destroyed and 60,000 people
Earthquake Disaster mitigation plan describes how to died. Recently Quetta was hit hard by the earthquake of
respond when a disaster occurs. GIS will be developed 7.1 magnitudes in February 1997.
using Risk mapping that is Hazard’s layers and Typical
or General Layers. Typical layers include the layers Due to these factors Earthquake Disaster Management
typically necessary for developing GIS for a disaster for System using GIS is very important keeping in view the
example service infrastructure, housing typologies, and sensitive geographical and geological position of
critical emergency facilities, such as police and fire Quetta. The ultimate goal is to protect Quetta and its
stations, and hospitals. Where as Hazard’s Layers citizens before and after an Earthquake, and GIS is the
include Seismic Hazard Layer, Seismic Micro zoning perfect technological tool to facilitate the authorities in
Layer and Risk Categorization Layer. achieving this goal. Rapid urbanization in Quetta has
pushed settlements to develop in physically unfit areas
as a result of poor or nonexistent planning. As such,
Keywords: Disaster management system. Earthquake
these areas are more at risk to Earthquake Disaster
disaster, Geographical Information System
because building codes are not enforced and settlements
occur haphazardly. If a disaster does occur, these
1. Introduction settlements will undoubtedly suffer the most damage.
Quetta (the word derives from Pushtu word kwatta, Therefore it is very important that cities that are at risk
fort) no doubt is a natural fort, surrounded as it is by to Earthquake Disasters take the precautionary
imposing hills on all sides. The encircling hills have the measures to minimize the loss of life and property,
resounding names of Chiltan, Takatoo, Mordar and casualties and victims, and damaged infrastructure.
Zarghun. Quetta, the capital of Balochistan lies between There are two types of disasters: man-made and natural.
300 - 03’ and 300 -27’ N and 660 - 44’ and 670 - 18’ E. GIS can be used in both cases to prepare an area in the
The total geographical area of Quetta district is 2653 event of a disaster; however, using GIS for Earthquake
Km2, has a population of almost 1.5 millions and stands Disaster Management System is the focus of this paper.
at the gateway to central Asia. Its strategic location has GIS produces results quickly, can respond in real-time,
caused rapid population growth. The resulting and can be accessed from a remote place if the disaster
population pressure has contributed to the lack of is severe and the control station has to be situated at a
planned development in the city. distance from the actual disaster site [2]. Quetta lies in
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2. the active seismic region; therefore earthquakes occur line which starts from Chilton range and goes up to
from time to time. Kallat. In Quetta city, physically, this layers moves
parallel along western by pass.
2. Earthquake Activity in Quetta
The historic record shows that the largest earthquake to
strike Pakistan in the 20th Century occurred on 31 May
1935, in Quetta, a very active seismic region of
Pakistan. Up to the 8 October 2005 event this had been
the deadliest earthquake in the region. It killed about
35,000 people, although some estimates of up to 50,000
have been provided. The Quetta earthquake, as it was
named, had a Moment Magnitude (Mw) of 8.1. Its
epicenter was at 27.4 N and 88.75 E. The earthquake
occurred at 02:33am local time (PST) on May 31, 1935.
The regions along Zones of high seismic activity are
Northern, Western as well as Southern Pakistan,
Kashmir and Northern India and Afghanistan. Most of
the earthquakes in Pakistan occur in the north and
western regions, along the boundary of the Indian
tectonic plate with the Iranian and Afghan micro-plates.
Figure 02 – Another view of Major fault lines in
Pakistan
Most earthquakes in Pakistan occur in the north and
western sections of the country along the boundary of
the Indian tectonic plate with the Iranian and Afghan
micro-plates. As indicated, numerous earthquakes occur
along the Chaman Fault System.
3- Technical Plan of Development
The process is two-phase line of action:
Phase - I
Figure 01 – Major seismic zones of Pakistan, as Quetta
Initially current urban conditions of Quetta city will be
is the largest and most sensitive zone.
assessed after collecting the municipal data describing
The Chaman Thrust Fault system is a continuation on the administrative boundaries, residents, and
land of an extensive transform fault system in the infrastructure etc.
Arabian Sea known as the Owen Fault Zone. The
Chaman Fault System is a major fracture which begins
Phase - II
in the Balochistan Province. The great Quetta The next phase is evaluation of the area’s susceptibility
earthquake (M7.7) of 31 May 1935 occurred along the regarding earthquake hazard. Detailed risk map
Chaman Fault. The powerful earthquake devastated the (Tectonic map) and Geological map will be produced to
town of Quetta and the adjoining region. indicate the fault line and seismic activity in the region.
This will enable us to estimate the extent of the damage
The Chaman Thrust Fault system extends along
according to the current built environment.
Pakistan's frontier with Afghanistan. It begins near
Kalat, in the northern Makran range, passes near Quetta The assessment of current urban conditions is useful for
and continues in a north-northeastern direction to preparedness and evaluation of the area’s susceptibility
Kabul, Afghanistan after branching off to form the regarding earthquake hazard is useful for prevention of
Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) System. Another damage due to possible earthquake hazard because
important fault line near Quetta valley is Chiltan fault policies can then be implemented with greater ease to
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3. minimize the damage to areas at high risk by limiting Above mentioned data can be integrated into a GIS to
development in these areas. produce emergency response maps as soon as a disaster
occurs to identify exposed areas and provide help
Above mentioned process is focused on identifying
quickly and efficiently. For example using GIS, the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. After
critical issue of accessibility can be addressed with the
having above mentioned data/information two
use of a number of different functionalities such as
strategies will be adopted:
creating buffer zones and finding shortest routes etc.
• Preparedness for when the disaster occurs
• Hazard mitigation and emergency response
6- GIS Development
Most of the above data can be incorporated into a GIS
to produce maps. GIS for Earthquake Disaster
4- Earthquake Disaster Preparedness Plan Management System for Quetta city will be developed
The Earthquake Disaster Preparedness Plan is using a High Resolution (o.6m) satellite image as base
essentially a plan that identifies weaknesses and threats map. Two types of GIS layers will be included
to the urban environment and proposes strategies to a) First is Risk Mapping that is Hazard’s layers.
overcome these weaknesses. Following may be the
considerations for Earthquake Disaster Preparedness b) Typical Layers
Plan:
i. A vital component of such planning is historical
experience and research, either in that particular region
or elsewhere with similar conditions, to ensure that
lessons can be learned from the past [3].
ii. Assessment of Critical Assets, Fragilities &
Activities at Risk
The assets include the infrastructures and lifelines,
general building stock, and critical facilities, industries,
and essential production centers or areas.
iii. Risk Reduction Measures
• Creation/Improvement of Codes / Regulations /
Incentives.
Figure 03 –Two major fault lines in Quetta: Chiltan
• Reducing Fragilities, Increasing Resilience
Fault Line and Chaman Fault Line
iv. Training of Response (Rescue Teams) Teams
6.1- Hazard’s layers
5- Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Plan In this type GIS layers to be included are:
The Earthquake Disaster Preparedness Plan covers a- Seismic Hazard Layer of Quetta
prevention, which is essentially a plan that identifies
weaknesses and threats to the urban environment and Seismic Hazard Layer will be produced as shown in
proposes strategies to overcome these weaknesses. The figure. Showing the fault lines of threatening to Quetta.
last stage is the mitigation plan itself: how to respond The fault lines include Chaman Fault line and Chiltan
when a disaster occurs [4]. Fault line [6].
The hazard mitigation plan starts with an identification b- Seismic Micro zoning Layer of Quetta
of facilities that play a role during and after disaster
events. i.e. Seismic Micro zoning Layer dividing the Quetta in two
zones Very High Seismic Zone and High Seismic Zone.
Medical Facilities, Water Supply Infrastructure,
Transportation, Shelter (Tents, cots, blankets, gas
lamps, camping equipment), and Communications
Infrastructure [5].
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4. c) Residential Areas
Major residential areas in Quetta are Shehbaz
town, Jinnah town, Samungli, Ceneral Quetta city,
satellite town, Broori, Sar-e-aab, Marri abad,
Hazara town, etc.
d) Major Population Centers
Schools, Universities, Shopping Centers, Bus
stations, Railway Station.
e) Infrastructure
Utilities, Water Supplies, Waste Water, Electric
Power Supply (Grid Stations)
f) Rescue Centers
Hospitals, Red Crescent, depots of supplies
(medicine and equipment) Rescue Teams, Fire
Stations, Police Stations, Military/FC (Frontier
Core), Levies Force.
g) Communication
Figure 04 –Two major seismic zones in Quetta city that Emergency broadcast system, cell
need to be planed in any disastrous situation phone/radio/CB/TV transmission towers and
infrastructure.
6.2- Risk Categorization Layer 7. Conclusion
The Layer of risky areas which have major damages Rapid urbanization in Quetta has pushed settlements to
due to past earthquakes ranging from low-risk to high- develop in physically unfit areas as a result of poor or
risk. nonexistent planning. As such, these areas are more at
risk to Earthquake Disaster because building codes are
These layers will make us able to analyze and predict
not enforced and settlements occur haphazardly. If a
the probability and location of an earthquake. Exact
disaster does occur, these settlements will undoubtedly
locations are still not obtainable with the current
suffer the most damage. Therefore it is very important
technology but intelligent estimates can be made.
that cities that are at risk to Earthquake Disasters take
For example with the help of Seismic Micro zoning the precautionary measures to minimize the loss of life
Map it can be analyzed that a specified location is lying and property, casualties and victims, and damaged
in either Very High Seismic Zone or High Seismic infrastructure.
Zone then using Risk Categorization Layer damages
GIS is a powerful tool for assessing the risk and
to that location due to past earthquakes can be
prioritizing needs. It will help to develop new
analyzed. So that prediction and future preparedness
applications to support emergency preparedness. Urban
plan for that specified location can be implemented.
information systems help automate analysis, share
b) Typical Layers information, and encourage teamwork. By visually
displaying information, GIS enhances risk evaluation
Typical layers include the layers typically necessary for and performs analyses that would not otherwise be
developing GIS for a disaster. For this Thematic Maps possible. Real-time information updates in GIS support
will be created for the Quetta Inventory .These layers better decision making and improve earthquake
will be: management. Creating an urban inventory, thematic
a) Transportation maps, and queries also help to identify Quetta's most at
risk areas and "what-if" "where is...?", and "what
Main Roads, Bridges, Highways, Evacuation intersects...?" scenarios will help in planning mitigation
Routes Railway Line, airport measures such as retrofitting and relocation. GIS
b) Parcels technology manages vast quantities of information
quickly in an emergency and helps authorities
Building footprint and Typology formulate strategies that mitigate the effects of future
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5. earthquakes. Mapping and spatial analysis will help the Earthquake in Pakistan IUCN Field Mission
authorities make better decisions and formulate more Report
effective policies for local emergency bureaus.
[2] Aiping Tang , Xiaxin Tao, et al(2000). Digital
A crucial component of this Disaster Management System for Natural Disaster Mitigation in China.
System is historical experience and research in the Prague,Republic of Czech: International conference
region to ensure that lessons can be learned from the of 30th Urban data management symposium
past. (UDMS2000), 2000.
Finally, critical information such as damaged [3] Guanhua Xu(1999): Building the “Digital Earth”,
infrastructure, particularly utilities and transportation, Promoting China's and Global Sustainable
can greatly influence the success of post-disaster efforts Development. Proceedings of the International
because saving lives and protecting property depends Symposium on Digital Earth, Science Press, 1999.
on how quickly and efficiently people and objects can
[4] Yongxiang Lu(1999):Building up the Digital Earth
be transported out of the disaster site. This information
Together, Sharing Global Data Resources Each
can be viewed in GIS with regular updates to the actual
Other. Proceedings of the International Symposium
situation in the field so that emergency response
on Digital Earth, Science Press, 1999.
reaches the largest number of people in the shortest
amount of time. [5] Lili Xie, et al (2000): Digital disaster reduction
system. Journal of natural disasters, Vol.9, No.2,
Government involvement is necessary at each stage to
2000.
formulate and implement policy analyses addressing
each specific area. [6] Yafeng Shi, et al (1992): Natural disaster analysis,
strategy and countermeasure against disaster in china.
8. Future Work The Division of Earth Sciences of China Academy of
Science, Hubei Publishing house of science and
Further studies can be done about building typologies, technology, 1992.
type of material, number of floors, and an
approximation of the number of occupants. Condition
of building whether it has been retrofitted or not can
also be added to further refine the risk categories.
Environment should be assessed and a projected growth
defined to understand what shape the area will take
over the next 20 years. In addition, maps of soil depth
and soil type, indicative of earthquake shaking periods,
can be created.
Finally, using Radar Imagery study of Earthquake Fault
Lines and movement of tectonic plates can be done to
enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of Hazard’s
Layers. Predictions of possible Earthquakes are also
possible using such studies.
9. Acknowledgments
We are highly obliged to Mr. Asif Nazeer Rana,
Assistant Director Geological Survey of Pakistan
Headquatter Quetta amd Mr. Joozer Marzban, Deputy
Director Geological Survey of Pakistan for their
philanthropist behavior during our research and
providing us with necessary information and documents
which were required during our research activities.
10. References
[1] Karl Schuler, Ahmad Saeed, Mahmood Akhtar
Cheema, Preliminary Environmental Assessment of
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