Earthquake
Kathmandu / Nepal
A survey by KVERMP (Kathmandu
Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project) in 2003/2004 warned that
around 40.000 people might die and nearly 100.000 might suffer injury
requiring hospital services when another earthquake measuring around 8.4
on the Richter scale (like the one in 1934) would hit the country.
The survey also estimated that six out of ten buildings would collapse.
On top of that KVERMP also warns that 95 percent of water supply pipes
might explode and 50 percent of bridges and 10 percent of roads could
collapse in the valley.
In the face of such a calamity people would need prompt hospital
services. But the major hospitals in Kathmandu are poorly built so most
of them would be non-operational and the remaining ones will also see
services disrupted.
Is Nepal prepared to face such a disaster? |
Soon you'll will find more information
about earthquakes and the earthquake risk in Nepal
Most recent earthquakes in Nepal
Note: click on the location for a map of the area
News snippets:
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June 14, 2010
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Two minor quakes
in Bajura District
National Seismological Centre recorded two small-scale
earthquakes with epicentre in Kolti of Bajura district
yesterday evening. The first temblor measuring 4.8 on
the Richter scale was recorded at 8:18 pm and the second
measuring 4.2 magnitude was recorded seven minutes after
the first quake......(read
more)
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March 2, 2010
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Lessons from Chile
& Haiti
The damages caused by 8.8 Richter earthquake in Chile
two days ago versus the damages caused by the 7.0
earthquake in Haiti about two months ago show that it is
preparedness that is more important than the magnitude
of the earthquake. Because of strict implementation of
building codes and better emergency response, the
casualty in Chile was far less than in Haiti.....(read
more)
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February 26, 2010
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Minor tremors were
felt in Kathmandu and many other parts of Nepal at 10:45
am NST on Friday.
The quake that measured 5.4 on the Richter scale had its
epicenter in Western Xizang, Tibet, reports citing data
released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
said.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 70 km (40 miles)
north of Namche Bazar....(read
more)
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January 16, 2010 |
12th National
Earthquake Safety Day marked. Prime Minister Madhav
Kumar Nepal said the earthquake that rocked Haiti
recently comes as a warning bell for a country that
lacks necessary preparedness and mitigation measures to
minimise the vulnerabilities of natural hazards. (read
more).
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March 21, 2008 |
Kathmandu (Nepal)
ranked first in GeoHazards International's study of
'Cities Vulnerable to Earthquake', followed by Istanbul
(Turkey), Delhi (India), Quito (Ecuador, Manila
(Philippines) and Islambad (Pakistan). All these cities
could expect fatalities in the tens of thousands if
disaster struck (read
more).
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Links:
geohaz.org
-
information about earthquake management
seismonepal.gov.np
- information about recent quakes
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