Increasing terror of Earthquake in Kathmandu

Nepal is the highly sensitive region, lying above the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates that created the Himalayas, and major earthquakes have hit the Kathmandu Valley every 75 years on average over recent centuries.

One earthquake destroyed a quarter of homes in Kathmandu 77 years ago (Paudel 5) and upcoming earthquake will be more destructive due to high density of Kathmandu valley, many will lose their lives and will be homeless and helpless compare to previous ones.

Nepali citizens and government should be prepared against upcoming earthquakes, come up with rigid plan so that they don’t only survive but overcome them and are less affected.

Past earthquake history of Nepal tells clearly about mistakes ancestors did by being unaware of threat of earthquake and lost their beloved ones and faced heavy economic loss.

For example: The earthquake of June 7, 1255 AD is the first recorded earthquake in the history of Nepal. During earthquake nearly one third of total population of Kathmandu were killed. The earthquake magnitude was around 7.7 in Richter scale.

The deadliest earthquake in record-popularly known as “90 sal ko bhukampa” occurred during 16 Jan. 1934 AD. The magnitude 8.4 Richter scale earthquake killed 8,519 people, destroyed 80,893 buildings and severely damaged 126,355 houses. The government spent NRs 206,500 through earthquake relief fund in Kathmandu valley alone.

Those past taught how much preparedness against earthquake is important and government and citizens of Nepal should do whatever it takes to prevent and minimize the effects of earthquake. Within Nepal, the Kathmandu valley is at greatest risk of all. An 8.1-magnitude earthquake like the one that hit the country in 1934 take place today, damage would be far greater.

At the time, around 4,000 people in Kathmandu valley died and fourth of all buildings collapsed. Today, more than two million people live in the valley and over 40,000 are likely to lose their lives if the earthquake of that magnitude repeats. According to estimates of NSET, over 60 of buildings are likely to collapse and about half of the valley’s population would be made homeless.

Though the government knows risks of earthquakes in Nepal, the government is still not fully prepared to respond a mega disaster and people lack awareness about earthquake safety measures. The government capability to control disasters and conduct rescue operations is inadequate. The country faced not only loss of human lives but economic losses and many houses, buildings, temples, historical places, bridges etc were destroyed by earthquakes. And the country was dragged down in case of development.

In recent years, some small progress has been made. Earthquake experts have made efforts to teach people what to do in case of earthquakes and how to improve safety of their buildings.

The government and other organization’s main agenda for now is to: Provide awareness programs in schools and communities about earthquake safety measures, organize trainings on earthquake preparedness to raise general earthquake awareness, provide awareness about requirement of earthquake resistance house, prepare for emergency services, first aids and prepare a large number of volunteers for urgent situations.

However, all these things don’t mean they are aware now but they are still foolish for not knowing about approaching disaster and its deadly effects. Due to lack of awareness and preparations many people will be injured. Accidents will occur due to fear and without any knowledge.

Effect of earthquake will have significant impact on country’s social, cultural, developmental and environmental system. So, if they don’t want to pay same price as their ancestors paid and want Nepal to be safe place for them and their descendants, then preparing certain groups only won’t be sufficient.

But children, youth, adult, elders and whole society should be prepared against earthquake. Reducing effects of earthquake is not only responsibly of the government but also the whole nations including individual person.

Knowledge is not enough. Public awareness is really important in those situations and their personal decision and preparedness will insure their and their families’ safety.

They individual are responsible for their duties before, during and after earthquake. Before an Earthquake they should be aware of many things like: identifying safe places in house, office and outside, preparing first aid kit, torch, radio, food and water for at least three-four days, putting important documents (passport, citizenship, insurance) in safe place, etc.

And at time of an Earthquake they shouldn’t panic because Panic kills them rather than earthquake itself, should take shelter under strong furniture (tables, beds) close to walls under door frame away from windows, should stop vehicle if they are on drive, should keep away from very congested places etc. After Earthquake they should be prepared for aftershocks and if they are trapped, believe and wait, rescue teams will come to rescue.

It’s really important to know how prepared you are. On 9th sep. 2014 at 3:30 pm, there was a small earthquake at AUW. We all panicked and were unable to follow instructions which we learned during disaster preparedness class in AUW. So, we can say that knowledge is not enough, but to apply that knowledge on process of making decision is important.

Disaster neither waits for anyone nor have mercy. All it knows is to destroy.

Disaster can’t be prevented but their effects can certainly be minimized if there is a right amount of preparedness.