KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Very few people who lived through the terrifying 1990 BS (1933) earthquake are still alive. Although fewer survivors of that tragedy remain, the current generation faced a similar ordeal during the 2015 earthquake. A recent earthquake in Tibet, impacting Kathmandu, triggered recollections of the devastating earthquake that rattled the nation nine years ago.
To remember the 1934 earthquake that hit Nepal at 2:24 PM on Magh 2, Nepal has been observing Earthquake Safety Day every year since 1999 (2055 BS). To better observe Earthquake Safety Day, the 2014 guidelines were developed for standardization and improvement.
Nationwide, the 27th Earthquake Safety Day, themed “Lessons from Earthquakes: Strong Structures and Resilient Preparedness,” will be observed through diverse programs. The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction stated that it aimed to improve public understanding of earthquake safety by reviewing past efforts and addressing deficiencies.
Building Resilience and Preparedness
The Director-General of the department, Machakaji Maharjan, emphasized the importance of preparedness and constructing resilient structures as the primary lessons from past earthquakes. “We must apply the lessons learned from previous earthquakes to mitigate seismic risks. This includes ensuring that the structures we build are earthquake-resistant,” Maharjan said. He added that the observance of this day is aimed at raising awareness about minimizing earthquake risks and preparing effective response plans.
PM Oli calls for disaster preparedness
Maharjan highlighted the need for extensive public awareness campaigns involving all stakeholders, including the media, to reduce seismic risks. “Implementing the National Building Code issued by the government is crucial for constructing safe buildings,” he said. Additionally, preparation for post-earthquake scenarios, such as effective search and rescue operations, skilled responders, and immediate relief, is equally important.
He stated that ongoing efforts include updating building codes, raising public awareness, capacity building, technical studies, research, monitoring, and coordination. The building codes have been revised to incorporate lessons learned from past earthquakes, including load requirements and design methodologies.
Importance of Awareness
Senior seismologist Dr Lok Bijay Adhikari from the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center under the Department of Mines and Geology stressed the importance of increasing public awareness on actions to take during and after earthquakes. “If we can educate people on what to do and what not to do, as well as how to remain calm, we can reduce future earthquake damages,” he said. Adhikari also emphasized prioritizing preparedness and early warning systems to minimize potential loss of life and property.
Challenges in Preparedness
Inadequate preparedness remains a major issue, as evident in Jajarkot, where earthquake victims still await full relief. Disaster management expert Dr Dharmaraj Upreti pointed out that the lack of preparedness exacerbates hardships for victims. “Some victims still live in temporary shelters due to delays in receiving aid,” he said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that 95,787 private houses in Jajarkot require reconstruction. An estimated budget of Rs 101.12 billion is needed for the reconstruction and restoration of structures damaged by earthquakes, floods, and landslides.
Focus on Earthquake-Resistant Structures
Dr Ramesh Guragai, acting executive director of the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET), underscored the importance of building earthquake-resistant structures. “Only 50 local levels have implemented the building code out of all the municipalities,” he said. Guragai added that while predicting the timing and location of earthquakes is impossible, preparedness through constructing resilient structures and retrofitting existing ones is key.
Engineer Amit Prasad Timalsina also stressed the need for strict enforcement of building codes. “Most structures do not meet the required standards. The government must rigorously monitor compliance with the building codes,” he said.
Reconstruction Efforts Begin
Dr Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, joint secretary of NDRRMA, announced the commencement of agreements with beneficiaries for reconstruction starting today. The 16th meeting of the National Disaster Council, held last Sunday, approved plans for post-earthquake and monsoon disaster reconstruction and restoration. The council directed the Ministry of Finance to allocate resources promptly to respective ministries, provinces, and local levels for implementing the approved plans.
