Safer Settlements

The government has already kicked off reconstruction of houses, roads, bridges and other structures damaged by the recent floods and landslides. The reconstruction works are expected to gather momentum after Tihar and Chhat festivals. Over 300 people died and hundreds other have been injured and rendered homeless in the recent monsoon-induced disasters. A Department of Road official reported that of 80 highways, 48 have been damaged partially and their repair cost would exceed over 15 billion rupees. 

Similarly, over 1,000 houses have been destroyed completely and 2,000 partially. The damage of farm lands is equally worrisome. The land with standing paddy crops alongside rivers were swept away in many parts of eastern and central Nepal. The loss of paddy, maze and millet amounts to worth millions of rupees. Natural calamities, especially, floods, landslides and earthquakes, have been hitting Nepal because of several factors such as climate change, our geographical position and less resilient houses and other structures. The control of natural calamities is beyond our control. Extreme climate events, caused by the global warming, is also not within our reach. 

Rich countries are responsible for greenhouse emissions, which cause the global warming. During the industrial revolution in around 1850 AD, they excessively used fossil fuel and coal, which were the main source of energy to run their industries. Factories released carbon dioxide (CO2) and chlorofluorocarbon, generally known as CFC. CO2 heats the atmosphere and CFC depletes the ozone layer, located in the stratosphere between 15 km and 30 km above the earth. The ozone layer shields humans and other living creatures from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. These two factors cause ecological imbalance, change rain pattern and invite unexpected natural calamities.

We sit right above the Eurasian and Indo-Australian tectonic plates which are active and pushing each other by generating high magnitude earthquakes. The geologists say that the altitude of this region is increasing at a rate of 3 to 4 millimetres per year. Therefore, even our mountain ridges are weak, absorb water and are vulnerable to landslides. 

Weak construction of structures is another flaw, consequences of which we have been facing.  Inhabitants prefer to make houses on their farmlands. Additionally, they construct houses as per traditional design, style and technology without following modern house construction codes. Some of the indigenous communities have the habit of living in hamlets, gorges of the mountains and on the top of hill. Speaking frankly, their houses are always vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, landslides and quakes. 

It is necessary to change traditional mindset.  Similarly, adequate fund and appropriate technology should be provided to the people. The reconstruction authority should select plain land near highways for constructing settlements. It should swing into action so that people's hope and confidence are rekindled. 

Another important point is that schools, hospitals and parks should be established nearby the settlement because the people should have easy access to the health and education facilities. This will also promote social harmony, security and friendship in the community.