Earthquake Day: Resolution imperative for early preparedness

Pragati Dhakal
Kathmandu, Jan 15: Those who survived a scary experience of the most devastating earthquake of 1990 BS (1934 AD) in Nepal are quite a few now. However, the present generation has experienced a similar dreadful moment in 2015 'Gorkha Earthquake'.   

 
Besides, the quake that occurred with its epicenter in Tibet (China) some days ago had shaken the territory of Kathmandu and other areas, reminding the people of the earthquake of nine years ago.    

The Earthquake Safety Day has been observed every year since 2055 BS to commemorate the earthquake that occurred at 2:24 pm on 15 January 1934 AD.    
It may be noted that the Earthquake Safety Day Guidelines 2071 BS was also formulated to make the Earthquake Safety Day systematic and effective in a way that maintains uniformity across the country.    

According to the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, the 27th Earthquake Safety Day will be marked across the country by conducting various activities with the theme 'With lessons, robust structure and strong preparedness' taught by the previous earthquakes.    

Director General at the Department, Machakaji Maharjan said that the key lesson of the earthquake was to make strong preparations to stay safe from the earthquake and also to strengthen our house structures.    

"The lesson learned from the earlier earthquakes is to reduce seismic risk," he said, adding, "The structures we build for this must be earthquake resistant."  

  
This day is being observed to raise public awareness on the measures to avoid imminent risk of earthquakes by evaluating the past efforts and correcting weaknesses.    

Emphasizing on the spectacular role of the media and all other sectors to increase public awareness, he called for the wider education to minimize earthquake risk.    

"Construction of safe buildings is a must to reduce the risk of earthquake and for this, the government-issued National Building Code should be fully implemented," he said, adding, "It is equally important to put in place effective and rapid search and rescue and keep immediate relief assistance in ready position by carrying out assessment of post-disaster risk".    

According to Maharjan, necessary works are being carried out continuously in the areas of policy arrangement, policy awareness and orientation, capacity building, technical work, study and research, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and collaboration for the implementation of the building code.   

 
Senior seismologist at the National Centre for Seismology and Research under the Department of Mines and Geology, Dr Lok Bijaya Adhikari also echoed the importance of sensitizing the public to minimize possible loss and damage caused by earthquake. He stressed the need on devising preparedness measures and early warning system to minimize the potential loss of property.    

Disaster management expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti noted that the general public suffers the most following the earthquake in lack of preparedness. "So far, some earthquake survivors have not been able to get relief and are still compelled to live in temporary shelters," he said.    

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 95,787 private houses are to be reconstructed in Jajarkot after being affected by the earthquake. It is estimated that Rs 101.12 billion will be spent for the implementation of the reconstruction and rehabilitation plan. RSS