Quake safety readiness lacking in Sudurpashchim

By Prakash Bikram Shah,Dhangadhi, Jan. 10: Seismic experts have pointed out that local, provincial and even the federal governments still lack concrete preparedness plans to mitigate the loss of human lives and property in case a mega-scale earthquake jolts the country, particularly the Sudurpashchim province.

While the Sudurpashchim region has a potential risk of earthquake, no earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 or greater on the Richter scale has occurred in the past 500 years, according to the experts.

The last major earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of 8.2 to 8.8, struck on June 6, 1505 AD, with its epicentre in Mustang. This earthquake caused significant damage in Tibet, but there was no data on the loss of life and property in Nepal. 

However, experts claimed that the geological evidence clearly shows that the impact on Nepal would be considerably large if an earthquake of such magnitude occurred. According to experts, it takes 500 to 800 years for recurring similar massive quake.

Dr. Ganesh Raj Joshi, a researcher on earthquake hazards and risk reduction, said that small earthquakes over the years have not released the stress accumulated along the Himalayan thrust from western Nepal to Kangra, Himachal State, India.

Joshi said, "The land beneath western Nepal has been storing immense energy for a long time, which could be released as a mega-quake at any time."

Dr. Joshi recommended developing better communication and working culture among the local, provincial and federal governments to improve infrastructure development. He also emphasised the importance of creating a comprehensive preparedness plan and initiating awareness programmes.

While it is impossible to precisely predict the time, location and magnitude of an earthquake, studies and research on seismicity, tectonics, and historical data provide critical insights into high-risk areas, said Dr. Joshi. "Being part of the Himalayan Seismic Belt, western Nepal has been highlighted as an earthquake-prone zone by numerous studies," he said.

"The accumulation of tectonic stress along the main Himalayan thrust fault system particularly places western Nepal at risk of a major earthquake in the future," said Dr. Joshi.

According to researchers, around 50 million years ago, the collision between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates caused massive earthquakes, shaping Nepal's current geography.

Even today, the Indian plate continues to push beneath the Tibetan plate at an annual rate of 1.8 millimetres, keeping Nepal perpetually at a high risk of massive quakes.  

Last time, on July 29, 1980, Sudurpashchim Province was struck by a 6.5 magnitude quake with its epicentre in around Khaptad National Park. 

The incident killed 178 people and injured 5,600.

Making houses as per the building code and increasing public awareness is important to ensure safety and mitigate casualty, said a retired engineer Mohan Regmi of the region. 

Rapid response teams and tools in case of a quake are equally important during that time, he said.

 Social activist Dhanapati Dhungel, who worked for nearly two years in relief operations in Dhading after the 2015 earthquake, said the local and provincial governments have measures and policies for rescue and relief operations during such time. But, when the provincial police office fails to come under the provincial government, it becomes difficult to act promptly in an emergency.

Engineer Jhanka Thapa at the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction stressed strict implementation of the building code for private and commercial buildings. 

He also highlighted the need for year-round awareness campaigns about earthquakes, not just on Earthquake Safety Day. 

Additionally, quake awareness materials should be integrated into the school curriculum.

According to the National Census of 2022, the Sudurpashchim Province has 546,000 households with their own homes and 25,381 families living in rented rooms. There are also 2,399 institutional buildings. In total, 576,772 families having a population of 2,694,783 live in the province.