KATHMANDU, Jan 16: Commemorating the pains and devastation caused by the 1990 BS (1934 AD) mega earthquake, the country is marking the 20th Earthquake Safety Day on Tuesday expecting to have better preparation to cope with such natural disasters in the days ahead.
The day is observed every year on Magh 2 (January 16) to commemorate the 1934 great earthquake that had killed around 8,000 people across the country. The Earthquake Safety Day this year commemorates the 85nd anniversary of the quake devastation.
The Government has been marking the quake safety day by organizing different awareness-raising programmes with the slogans for the past 19 years but the notable achievements are yet to be witnessed.
20th Earthquake Safety Day being marked today
Meanwhile, the government has set a slogan 'Strong Community and Local Government, Solid Base for Quake Resilience,' for this year. A rally was organized from Basantapur in the capital to raise awareness about the risks of earthquakes and safety measures.
The safety day is being observed since 2055 BS across the nation.
Similarly, around 9,000 people were killed in Gorkha Earthquake that rattled the country in 25 April 2015. It may be noted that President Bidya Devi Bhandari had launched a reconstruction mega campaign by laying the foundation stone for the reconstruction of historic Ranipokhari two years ago.
Though the campaign was launched with high expectation of reconstruction and recovery, the rehabilitation of quake displaced people are yet to be carried out in a substantial manner.
