Quake Hits Far West

Natural calamities like floods, landslides and inundations take a huge toll on the lives of people and houses, roads, bridges, power plants and other structures. The harshness of destruction triggered by these devastations depends on the affected population’s resilience as well as the infrastructures available. Like many nations around the world, Nepal often reels from natural hazards such as flash floods, landslides, lightning incidences, avalanches, drought, winter weather and tormenting summer heat. Earthquakes are another major cause of devastation. As Nepal is one of high seismic-hazard nations, minor quakes are recorded here frequently. Following the shattering April 2015 earthquake, the country has witnessed hundreds of aftershocks. Nearly 9,000 people had lost their lives to the 7.6-magnitude quake while it had destroyed about 600,000 structures, including private homes. Humans are responsible for most natural disasters, including earthquakes. Climate change is considered to be the main factor behind such calamities.   

Few weeks after this year's rainy season, a powerful earthquake with 6.6-magnitude on the Richter scale was recorded in Doti and other neighbouring districts of Sudurpaschim Province at 2:12 am on Wednesday. With its epicentre located at the Khaptad National Park of Purbichauki Rural Municipality-3 in Doti district, the tremor left at least six persons of a family dead and eight others injured. Its epicentre is about 270 miles west of Kathmandu. The locals were sleeping in their homes when the disaster occurred. Some houses made of mud and bricks collapsed due to the earthquake causing the tragedy. The deceased included residents of Gauragaon Prem Bahadur Bohora, 40-year-old wife Bhagawati, eight-year-old son Harak, 14-year-old daughters Tulasi and Dhansari, and 13-year-old daughter Sita, according to the Doti District Police Office. 

Prem had arrived home on Tuesday evening from India. It was ironic that Prem had returned home to rebuild his old house. As Prem was providing clothes and other gifts to his family members, a 5.7-magnitude quake rocked the area at 9.7 pm.  The quake has caused damage to more than two dozen houses located in various settlements of Doti, Bajhang, Bajura and Accham districts. The local authorities are now collecting details of the damage caused by the seismic activity. However, according to Chairman of Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality Uttam Bahadur Rokaya, around 70 per cent of houses in the area have suffered cracks. The quake is reported to have been felt in New Delhi of neighbouring India as well. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) based in Kathmandu has stated that it was the most power earthquake recorded in the far-west region after four decades.  On Saun 14, 2037 B.S., a quake with 6.6 magnitude on the Richter scale had been reported in that part of the country, with its epicentre in Bajhang. 

In the meantime, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has instructed the officials to get engaged in rescue and relief of the quake victims immediately. Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Deuba asked the subordinate agencies to intensify rescue and relief operations and treatment of the injured. The government has managed temporary shelter for the needy by providing them with tarpaulins, blankets, clothes and other utensils with the help of Nepal Red Cross Society to avert difficulties. The Nepali Army (NA) has airlifted the injured to Seti Provincial Hospital based in Dhangadhi for treatment. Since disasters like earthquakes are unpredictable, all the responsible authorities must focus on making preparedness to deal with such calamities. People should also keep taking precautions to remain safe from potential disasters.