tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post7745804186395791261..comments2023-10-25T21:17:36.925+05:30Comments on Visions of Hell: Insurance against landslides : a personal experienceSaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-13470350752184651212008-03-08T09:11:00.000+05:302008-03-08T09:11:00.000+05:30INSURING HOUSES/BUILDINGS IN THE HILL AREAS OF DAR...INSURING HOUSES/BUILDINGS IN THE HILL AREAS OF DARJEELING AND SIKKIM HIMALAYAS - AN ENGINEERS POINT OF VIEW.<BR/><BR/>The Darjeeling Sikkim Himalayas fall in the young mountain ranges, geologically susceptible to landslides. To make matters worse, the area is also located in Seismic Zone No. 5, where high intensity earthquakes are probable at regular intervals. The rainy season extends over a continuously long period of about four months from mid-June to mid-September, and the rainfall intensity is high, causing rampant landslides every year!<BR/><BR/>Due to non-availability of flat lands, most building activities take place in unstable hilly terrain where the general land inclination exceeds 45 Degrees. Earth cutting to flatten the land, followed by construction of breast-walls and retaining-walls are a must, before one can proceed to build a house or building. It can, therefore, justifiably be concluded that breast walls and retaining walls must be taken as part and parcel of any building activity in the hills. Damage due to landslides or other causes, to any portion of such walls surrounding the house or building, must be considered to be a direct threat to the house or building itself and/or to its inhabitants. Insurance Companies must incorporate the abovementioned facts while drawing up their Policies for Insuring Houses/Buildings in the Hill Areas and not shy away from their boundent duties while responding to insurance claims.<BR/><BR/>Just as Health/Medical Insurance covers treatment of a disease (and one does not have to die before registering an insurance claim!), so also claim for repair/rebuilding of breast/retaining walls in the hill areas, should be favorably considered and honored (BEFORE the house/building actually cracks up or falls down!).<BR/><BR/>I think House/Building Insurance in the Hills is a relatively recent thing, so Insurance Companies are having a field day by taking advantage of the gullibility of the simple folk like us. States like Himachal Pradesh, who have hills like Shimla, may be better equipped to throw light on some of the contradictions!<BR/><BR/>- U.M.Pradhan<BR/>Consultant Director,<BR/>Specktrum Consultancy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10610575306797797488noreply@blogger.com