First quake-proof foundation in Tuensang built at Yungkük Church

Images from the ongoing work at Yunguk Baptist Church (Photo courtesy-Nayungkhumla)

Images from the ongoing work at Yunguk Baptist Church (Photo courtesy-Nayungkhumla)

Moses Hongang Chang 
Tuensang | January 11

In a ground-breaking move for disaster preparedness, the Yüngkuk Baptist Church in Tuensang is set to become the first building in the district with an earthquake-resistant foundation. This initiative, spearheaded by a collaboration of architects, engineers, and local leaders, marks a significant step toward addressing the state’s vulnerability to seismic activity.  

Nagaland, situated in Seismic Zone V — the region most susceptible to devastating earthquakes — has not experienced a major seismic activity since the 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.7 on the Richter scale. That disaster submerged entire villages and claimed approximately 4,800 lives. Despite this, disaster management in the state’s building sector has often been overlooked due to limited funding, awareness and the perceived lack of necessity.  

The Yungkuk Baptist Church, perched on the steep slopes of Tuensang Town and prone to landslides during monsoons, is undergoing a transformative construction process. The project has prioritized safety and disaster preparedness, with meticulous planning and execution by Atelier Morung and ISB Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., alongside the church’s leadership and members.  

Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and geotechnical reports determined the soil type and bearing capacity of the site. Based on these findings, chief structural consultant Dileep Kulkarni & Associates designed a raft or mat foundation compliant with Indian engineering standards, including IS 6403, IS 456: 2000, and IS 1893-PART1-2016. This foundation is engineered to withstand seismic lateral loads, distributing weight evenly to prevent catastrophic failures during earthquakes.  

“The earthquake-resistant foundation ensures the safety and longevity of the structure, offering peace of mind to church members. An integrative and holistic approach needs to be applied when it comes to construction in Nagaland as buildings begin to grow taller. A relatively new phenomenon in the history of Naga Architecture and landscape,” said Nayungkhumla Chang, Architectural designer & project manager of Atelier Morung.  

The collaborative efforts of local contractor Moa Ngonyemba and team, site supervisor and civil engineer Marba Chang, and ISB Pvt. Ltd. steel engineers, supported by Pastor Ongmang Chang and the church planning committee, have brought the project to its final stages.  

The foundation, now nearing completion, is stated to be finished by February 2025, a testament to the resilience and foresight of the Yungkuk Baptist Church community. Beyond disaster preparedness, the initiative stands as a model for sustainable and safe construction practices in Nagaland.  

As seismic risks loom, this project is a critical reminder of the importance of disaster-ready infrastructure, especially in vulnerable regions like Nagaland.



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