The Ongoing Battle for Nepal's Seismic Safety
Nepal, a nation known for its breathtaking landscapes, is also no stranger to the relentless force of earthquakes. As officials in Nepal continue to assess the damage from the recent earthquake in the western part of the country, it serves as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability that plagues this Himalayan nation. At least 150 lives have been lost, and thousands now find themselves either homeless or reluctant to seek shelter indoors.
Nepal, perched on the fault lines of two major tectonic plates, remains at the mercy of these geological forces. While the recent earthquake was classified as medium in intensity, the haunting memory of the devastating 2015 earthquake in the east, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives, looms large. This grim toll underscores the urgent need for Nepal to enhance its earthquake preparedness and resilience.
Amod Mani Dixit, the director of the National Society for Earthquake Technology in Kathmandu, emphasizes the uniqueness of Nepal's situation: "You cannot move the population; the entire country is seismic, the entire Nepal is seismic." However, there is hope in the form of improved building standards. Dixit contends that the building stock can be strengthened, and examples from around the world, including Nepal, have demonstrated that it is indeed possible.
Yet, Nepal faces formidable challenges in its journey towards seismic safety. The nation, home to approximately 30 million people, grapples with the effects of climate change. Melting glaciers contribute to flooding and threaten water availability for agriculture. The recent earthquake, while registering as moderate in intensity, struck remote, hilly areas in Nepal's west, identified as particularly vulnerable by scientists. These areas had accumulated seismic strain since previous quakes and lacked the safety measures implemented in the east following the 2015 disaster.
As relief efforts shift from search and rescue to providing aid, it has become clear that thousands of homes have been either destroyed or damaged. In districts like Jajarkot and Rukum West, residents have had to spend nights in the open, their homes flattened or too precarious to return to. This predicament emphasizes the urgent need for resilience in Nepal's building infrastructure.
Residents in these affected areas lament the slow arrival of aid. The challenging terrain and remote locations have led Nepal's government to request aid organizations to coordinate their efforts in advance, avoiding duplication but potentially causing delays.
Dhruba Khadka, a spokesman for the government's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, acknowledges that scientists had previously warned of an earthquake in the west. Following the 2015 disaster, action plans and building codes were introduced, particularly for new buildings. However, older structures made of mud and stone remained unregulated.
Enforcing building regulations to enhance earthquake resistance remains a significant challenge, particularly in the hilly areas of western Nepal, according to Madhav Katwal, an engineer at the government's Department of Urban Development and Building Construction.
A sobering thought arises from the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake. Scientists studying the event have suggested that only a portion of the accumulated tectonic pressure was released, leaving open the possibility of a much more devastating earthquake in the future.
A million homes in the affected area were built or retrofitted to meet post-2015 regulations, as stated by Amod Mani Dixit. However, this momentum waned elsewhere in the country. He estimates that only around a fifth of Nepal's approximately eight million buildings adhere to earthquake resistance regulations.
The importance of stringent building standards cannot be overstated. It is the difference between life and death in the face of seismic threats. Nepal's ongoing battle for seismic safety requires a united effort to enforce these regulations and enhance the resilience of its built environment. The specter of an even deadlier earthquake looms, and the nation must stand prepared.
#NepalEarthquake, #SeismicSafety, #EarthquakePreparedness, #BuildingStandards, #ClimateChangeImpact
