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Nepal earthquake of 2015

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• Academia - Consequence of Nepal Earthquake 2015 and Effects in Bangladesh
• Nature - Strong ground motion data of the 2015 Gorkha Nepal earthquake sequence in the Kathmandu Valley
• The Geological Society - 2015 Nepal Earthquake
• Stanford University - 2015 Nepal earthquake offers clues about hazards
• United Nations - The humanitarian response to the 2015 Nepal earthquake
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Aftershock analysis of the 2015 Gorkha-Dolakha (Central Nepal) earthquake doublet
• Frontiers - The 2015 Gorkha Nepal earthquake: insights from earthquake damage survey

Nepal earthquake of 2015 , severe earthquake that struck near the city of Kathmandu in central Nepal on April 25, 2015. About 9,000 people were killed, many thousands more were injured, and more than 600,000 structures in Kathmandu and other nearby towns were either damaged or destroyed. The earthquake was felt throughout central and eastern Nepal, much of the Ganges River plain in northern India , and northwestern Bangladesh , as well as in the southern parts of the Plateau of Tibet and western Bhutan .

The initial shock, which registered a moment magnitude of 7.8, struck shortly before noon local time (about 06:11 am Greenwich Mean Time ). Its epicentre was about 21 miles (34 km) east-southeast of Lamjung and 48 miles (77 km) northwest of Kathmandu, and its focus was 9.3 miles (about 15 km) underground. Two large aftershocks , with magnitudes 6.6 and 6.7, shook the region within one day of the main quake, and several dozen smaller aftershocks occurred in the region during the succeeding days. On May 12 a magnitude-7.3 aftershock struck some 76 km (47 miles) east-northeast of Kathmandu, killing more than 100 people and injuring nearly 1,900.

The earthquake and its aftershocks were the result of thrust faulting (i.e., compression-driven fracturing) in the Indus-Yarlung suture zone, a thin east-west region spanning roughly the length of the Himalayan ranges. The earthquake relieved compressional pressure between the Eurasian tectonic plate and the Indian section of the Indo-Australian Plate, which subducts (underthrusts) the Eurasian Plate. Subduction in the Himalayas occurs at an average rate of 1.6–2 inches (4–5 cm) annually. Such tectonic activity adds more than 0.4 inch (1 cm) to the height of the Himalayan mountains every year.

The Himalayan region is one of the most seismically active in the world, but large earthquakes have occurred there infrequently. Before the 2015 temblor, the most recent large earthquake (that is, magnitude 6.0 or above) took place in 1988. That magnitude-6.9 event resulted in the deaths of 1,500 people. A magnitude-8.0 earthquake in 1934, however, killed approximately 10,600 people.

Initial reports of casualties following the early-morning earthquake put the death toll in the hundreds, but, as the day wore on, reports had the total number of fatalities surpassing 1,000 and nearing 1,900 by the end of the day. Within two weeks after the main quake occurred, rescue teams had reached all the remote villages in the earthquake zone, and a more-accurate picture of the earthquake’s human cost emerged. The deaths of approximately 9,000 people (which included fatalities in nearby parts of India, China , and Bangladesh) were confirmed, with nearly 16,800 injured and some 2.8 million people displaced by the earthquake. One United Nations (UN) report mentioned that more than eight million people (more than one-fourth of Nepal’s population) were affected by the event and its aftermath.

The earthquake produced landslides that devastated rural villages and some of the most densely populated parts of the city of Kathmandu. Initial damage estimates ranged from $5 billion to $10 billion. Inside Kathmandu, bricks and other debris from collapsed and partially collapsed buildings, which included parts of the famous Taleju Temple and the entire nine-story Dharahara Tower, filled the streets. The earthquake also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest that killed at least 19 climbers and stranded hundreds more at Everest Base Camp and at camps higher up the mountain. Those at the high camps were soon airlifted to Base Camp, and all the climbers either hiked off the mountain or were flown out to other locations.

Immediately after the quake, the Nepalese government declared a state of emergency, and soon nearly the entire Nepalese army was assisting in rescue and recovery work. Nepal also called on the international community for aid. The UN quickly established the “Nepal Earthquake 2015 Flash Appeal” fund, whose goal was to raise an estimated $415 million for Nepal’s earthquake relief. By some two weeks after the earthquake, more than $330 million had been either provided directly or pledged.

India, China, and several other countries quickly responded by sending in aid and rescue teams. The delivery of relief services to the people in need during the first few days after the earthquake occurred, however, was complicated by the remoteness of many villages from the existing transportation network, congestion at Kathmandu’s international airport, and a shortage of heavy trucks, helicopters, and other vehicles capable of transporting supplies. In addition, earthquake debris—along with “tent cities” erected in streets and other open areas by Kathmandu residents who feared going back to their homes—contributed to making many of the city’s streets virtually impassable, hampering efforts by rescuers to reach people still trapped in the rubble. The debris was gradually cleared.

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Post-earthquake relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction measures undertaken by the government of nepal.

• Govt. Nepal

The devastating earthquake of 7.8 in Richter scale that struck the country with its epicenter at Mandre, Barpak VDC-02, Gorkha at 11:56 am on 2072 Baisakh 12 (corresponding to 25 April 2015) and its frequent aftershocks chiefly the two fatal ones dated 26 April and 12 May 2015 have caused an inconceivable loss of lives and properties. Thousands of people have been killed, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands of houses completely destroyed and many people rendered homeless. Many government and public office buildings, historical, cultural and archeological heritages have been destroyed; physical infrastructures including public and private school buildings, bridges, roads, etc. have also been destroyed. The Government has declared the fourteen districts (Gorkha, Kavrepalanchok, Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sindupalchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Okhaldunga, Makwanpur, Sindhuli, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur) as the crisis-hit districts and started rescue and relief works. In view of such a large scale of devastation, the Government of Nepal has taken various initiatives for rescue, relief and rehabilitation as well as reconstruction works. They are as follows:

1.Immediate Response: By enforcing the Essential Services Operation Act, 1957, the Government ensured the supply of essential goods and services to the affected region. The Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC) has been coordinating and overseeing all the rescue and relief works. The CNDRC decided to form a Central Command Post (CCP) headed by Home Secretary. Alternative provisional arrangements were made for the smooth delivery of public services related to education, health, justice, security as well as administrative services until public schools, health institutions, courts and other infrastructures of public importance damaged in the earthquake are reconstructed. Similarly, the Ministry of Finance called an emergency meeting with the Ambassadors/representatives of the donor countries in Kathmandu. The ambassadors/representatives of the donor countries assured that they will assist Nepal in every possible way. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly briefed the diplomatic community in Kathmandu on the ongoing rescue and relief operations, and urged for assistance in such hour of great tragedy.

2.Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Measures: The Government constructed temporary safe shelters in sixteen different parts of the valley. A Cabinet-level decision was taken on 30 April 2015 on the various relief measures, some of them were changed/modified from time to time to make them more realistic:

a. Cremation Cost and Assistance to the Family of Victims: Family that has lost its member in the earthquake will get NPR 40,000.00 per dead person as cremation cost, which was increased from previously stated NPR 15,000.00 per person. Additionally, the Government will provide a fixed sum of NPR 100,000.00 to each family that has lost its one or more members (i.e. losing more than one member will not multiply this amount).

b. Temporary Shelters/Rehabilitation of those Rendered Homeless: The Government is committed to ensuring that all the affected population in the crisis-hit districts got tents/tarpaulin and other basic items and making necessary arrangements for resettling them safely. Those who wish to repair their partially damaged houses will get a sum of NPR 25,000.00 per family as maintenance cost. And those who wish to rebuild their houses on their own will get a relief assistance of NPR 200,000.00 plus a concessional loan up to NPR 25,00,000.00 in the valley and NPR 15,00,000.00 outside the valley at just two per cent interest rate under "Earthquake Victim Special Loan" scheme. The Government later decided to provide tin-sheets or NPR 15,000.00 to each affected family for managing a temporary accommodation in view of the coming monsoon. This amount together with all other relief amounts previously provided will be deducted from the relief of NPR 200,000.00 to be provided to the victims later.

c. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan backed by the NRRF: An appropriate plan of land pooling for rehabilitation in the affected areas with adequate facilities will be implemented. Such a plan will ensure the building of earthquake-resistant structures with the use of local materials/resources as well as cost-effective means. The Government has announced to rebuild all the damaged structures of the individuals, the public houses/infrastructures and the heritages devastated by the earthquake in one year, two years and five years respectively. Such a scale of damage caused by the earthquake requires a huge fund. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has recommended a low-cost model of houses to the Government for necessary approval. Construction of houses in large scale as well as the construction of the collapsed government houses and the heritages requires a huge fund. So, the Government has decided to set up a National Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund (NRRF) with an initial target of collecting US$ 2 Billion. The Government has already transferred US$ 200.00 Million to the Fund as seed money. The Government has also urged the international community to make generous contributions to the Fund. Similarly, a Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) is being conducted and the amount required for rehabilitation and reconstruction is expected to rise after the detailed assessment. A National Reconstruction Consultation Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister has also been formed to make the reconstruction campaign more effective and coordinated. The Committee had its first meeting on 26 and 27 May 2015.

d. Priority Items: The Government of Nepal issued an indicative list of priority items (that cover shelter, food, hygiene, clothes; drug and surgical items and construction; emergency veterinary medicines, vaccines, disinfectants and feeds; and agricultural nutrients) required in connection with the immediate relief operations. The list may be revised based on the evolving circumstances in the areas affected by the devastation. The last revision to the list was made on 14 May 2015 and was extended until 03 June 2015. The list is transmitted to all Diplomatic Missions, United Nations and its Specialized Agencies and other International Organizations based in Kathmandu for ready reference.

e. Injured in the Earthquake: The Government initially decided to provide NPR 25,000.00 per injured person to the hospitals that are providing treatment facilities to the people injured in the earthquake. The Government will also provide money to the hospitals through the Ministry of Health and Population for treating more serious injuries. Later on, the Government decided to provide free-of-cost treatment facility for all the people injured in the earthquake. Similarly, the Government also decided to provide, as per a criterion to be worked out, additional relief to those left disabled due to the devastation.

f. Information Dissemination: The Government has effectively disseminated, through different mediums of communication, all types of information for the safety, security and well-being of its citizens. The Government has warned that no one can predict the occurrences of earthquake, and therefore, has asked not to follow any rumor of earthquake prediction by some unscrupulous agents. Information on minimizing losses during the time and after earthquakes, safety tips, relief/rehabilitation measures taken by the Government, health and hygiene instructions, etc. is being constantly circulated. The websites of the Government agencies including those of the Nepalese missions abroad are now replete with the earthquake-related information, and a dedicated portal http://www.drrportal.gov.np has been active to provide all types of information.

3.Data Collection: With a view to collecting data on the loss of lives/properties with all vital details, the Government has sent various teams to the affected districts. For maintaining uniformity of the data and also to manage the teams, the Guidelines for the Teams to be Deployed in the Earthquake-affected Areas, 2015, was prepared and enforced. The data will be utilized for effective relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works. These teams are still in the field and the reports are expected to be submitted soon.

4.International Donors' Conference: The Government of Nepal will organize an International Donors' Conference on post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation works, after completing a comprehensive need assessment, in Kathmandu on 25 June 2015. A preparatory committee has also been formed recently with the Finance Minister as the coordinator. A main agenda of the Conference will be garnering donors' support to the Government's plan for the post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction.

5.Call for Contributions to PMDRF: The Government has advised all the contributors (countries, organizations and individuals) both at home and abroad to contribute to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF) to reach out to the real victims of the earthquake. The Government is committed to making the optimum utilizations of the fund received. Similarly an e-portal to facilitate online transfer of money (through Visa/Master Card) to the Fund has been created for the ease of contributors. As of 31 May 2015, NPR 4,210,032,106.00 has been collected including NPR 745891.00 through online transfers.

6.Resolution Motion of the CA-LP and the Government's Response: Upon the recommendation of the Government, the Rt. Hon. President called for a special session of the House on 07 May 2015. The Assembly-Legislature Parliament of Nepal passed a 27-point resolution on 13 May 2015 directing the Government to effectively undertake the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation works. To implement the instructions, the Government has prepared and has put into effect the Integrated Action Plan for Post-Earthquakes Response and Recovery, 2072. It has altogether forty actions to be completed in a coordinated manner. Some important ones are as follows:

Constructing temporary emergency shelters for the earthquake affected senior citizens, single women, diseased, pregnant and new mothers, disabled, etc.

Providing the children who have lost their guardians/parents in the earthquake and those who are rendered homeless with shelters and free education.

Classifying the affected population for the ease of providing them with necessary facilities.

Making necessary arrangements for providing the affected farmers with free of cost seeds and subsidies for fertilizers. Also exempt the farmers in the affected regions from taxes.

Making a review of the National Building Code, 2060 and ensure its effective enforcement.

Undertaking a review of the land-use policy.

Dismantling the cracked structures that pose dangers. Also, dismantling the structures at the cost of the owners who built the houses by violating the building codes.

Building a memorial for those who have lost their lives in the earthquake. Recognizing and rewarding the public servants, organizations and individuals who have done praiseworthy jobs.

7.Deployment of Youth Volunteers: There is a plan to deploy youth volunteers to assist in rescue, relief and rehabilitations works. A technical volunteers programme will also be launched. The Ministry of Youths and Sports has announced that at least 500 to maximum of 50,000 youth volunteers will be sent to each affected district.

8.Earthquake Victim Identity Card: Necessary arrangements are underway to issue “Earthquake Victims’ Family Identity Card" to each family with details of damages suffered by them recorded on it which will be used as a basis to provide facilities by the State.

9.Nepalese Missions Abroad: The Government instructed all the Nepalese missions abroad to 1. Open an account for the ease of contributors and send the collected amount periodically to the PMDRF 2. Inform the contributors about the online facility to make generous contributions through their VISA/MASTER Cards, and 3. Make an appeal to contribute to the Government's plan for post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction through NRRF. The missions abroad have been sending the collected amounts to the PMDRF, and the total amount deposited through the missions as of 01 June 2015 is NPR 662061998.78.

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Nepal Earthquake 2015: A case study

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Earthquakes Of Nepal: Research & Analysis

• 04 Jun, 2021

Gandhi Raj Kafle

Facts provide knowledge and teach lessons. But, the question here is – who realises them first – the government or an individual researcher? It is a self-motivated individual researcher, who works seriously and makes facts shining for future generation with research. The government does its work, sees laws of land and people and if it feels things are done and duty is fulfilled, it is okay. Also, what is seen is government keeps changing and the cycle repeats. In the process, the facts finding and preservation task go messy at an authoritative level. Contrary to this nature of government, what we find is scholars and researchers go deeper. They take facts even from the hole and show them in public. Societies from generation to generation, thus, have been benefitting from the work of such researchers. Here, we have author Ramesh Jung Sijapati with the under review book “Nepalka Mahabhukampa” to remind timelessly about what had shockingly happened due to the Mega Earthquake of Nepal, 2015, and its innumerable aftershocks. So, the aforementioned context of individual scholarly tradition needs to be connected with Sijapati’s this book because he has taken facts of Nepal’s Mega Earthquake – 2015 from the holes and made them public for benefit of all now and in future. This book is divided into five chapters. The first chapter tells the background of the study, where readers will find some interesting information about the birth of the idea to write a research-based book on the Great Earthquake – 2015 of Nepal in the mind and heart of the author. The deadly jolts were non-stop and to visit highly affected parts was dangerous, but the author defied such hazards to write this book visiting even Barpak, the epicentre of the 2015 Earthquake in Gorkha District and various places in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchowk and Makwanpur. The second chapter, where we find historical information about the Great Earthquakes of Nepal, is important. To all readers, who faced the bitter experience of the Earthquake – 2015 and helplessly tolerated the irreparable loss of life and lived a miserable life due to damage of property, the Great Earthquake of 1990 BS is a much-heard story. In different contexts and headings, he has discussed the 1990's Earthquake about the similar Earthquake of 2072 BS. Sijapati has reached to centenarian and nonagenarian resource persons, too, like Rastrakavi Madhav Ghimire, Cultural Expert Satya Mohan Joshi, senior politician Khanuparude Rambabu Prasai and historian Purushottam Shamser JBR and their talks about the Earthquake of now and of then in 1990 BS are authentic inputs for the book. But, Great Earthquakes in Nepal had occurred before 1990 also. So, to meet this curiosity, the author has consulted historical documents and other publications to give authentic information about all the Great Earthquakes even from the distant past date of 1280 BS. From this date to the latest 7.9 Richter scale Earthquake in 2072 BS, there are already Mega Earthquakes like of 1312, 1401 and 1890 in Nepal and the author has quoted different historical documents like the Gopal Bansabali, Bhasa Bansabali, Gorkha History and publication of newspapers and magazines for his research. The third, fourth and fifth chapters are exclusively about the Gorkha Earthquake – their titles in the book ‘Impact in the Epicenter of Earthquake’, ‘Loss of Life and Property from the Earthquake’ and ‘Means of Communications Radios and TVs during Earthquake’. The list of reference materials mentioned in the end part of the book shows the author has extensively consulted both contemporary newspapers and magazines and related historical books and document to write this 400-page book. The last pictorial section is also interesting because it is diverse in coverage – on the one hand, it presents pictures of personalities who have spoken about both 1990's and 2072's Earthquakes and on the other hand, the inclusion of pictures of the damaged historical monuments and miraculously rescued four-month-old baby boy Sonish Awal and his mother Rasmita Awal with the author is a forever human interest material. Coming to the beginning section once again, even the prefaces written for the book by scholar Gyan Mani Nepal, Dinesh Raj Panta, Ram Babu Prasai, Binod Sijapati and that of the author himself are interesting to read because they provide a brief focus on earthquakes of Nepal from different angles. The inclusion of a long parliamentary speech of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to assure the people and the nation of relief, rescue and reconstruction and renovation after the great damage of the Earthquake has increased the merit of the book. It is natural to have a huge concern on the part of the executive head no matter what kind of governance system was there or was heading the government. The quotable concern of the old times, according to the book "Nepalko Mahabhukampa 1990" of Bramha Shamser Rana, from the then Prime Minister Juddha Shamser JBR, who said 'Whatever we can, don't worry, we will do all possible coming there immediately' is also a relevant authoritative historical fact. Juddha had been on the tour to Pashchim Nepal Mahakali when Kathmandu and many parts of Nepal were rattled by the 1990's Great Earthquake. Sijapatiji's this book has given words for the voice of the Earthquake victims of 2072 BS. His research and analysis are precious for the time to come. Nepal's geographical destiny is earthquake-prone and this book will serve all awareness loving readers. 

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Professor in Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge

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For some time scientists have realised that the Kathmandu valley is one of the most dangerous places in the world , in terms of earthquake risk. And now a combination of high seismic activity at the front of the Tibetan plateau, poor building standards, and haphazard urbanisation have come together with fatal consequences.

The magnitude 7.9 earthquake that hit Nepal hit just before noon , local time, on Saturday around 48 miles north west of Kathmandu. The Indian tectonic plate is driving beneath the Eurasian plate at an average rate of 45mm per year along a front that defines the edge of the Tibetan plateau. This force created the Himalayas, and Nepal lies slap bang along that front. The quake was shallow, estimated at 12km depth, and devastating as the Indian crust thrust beneath Tibet one more time.

Historic buildings in the centre of Kathmandu have been reduced to rubble. Brick masonry dwellings have collapsed under clouds of dust. Weakened buildings will now be vulnerable to aftershocks, which continue to rattle Nepal through the day. Multiple aftershocks above magnitude 4 hit in the six hours following the earthquake.

Away from the populated Kathmandu valley, in the heights of the Himalaya, climbers on Everest tweeted reports of damage to base camp, and fatal avalanches on the flanks of the mountain. The steep valleys and precipitous dwellings of the more populated areas are vulnerable to landslides. Now is the time for us all to consider how we can help those most in need, in practical ways.

Although one cannot predict the day or the hour, the scenario that we see on our TV screens had been thought through many times already, with one particularly prescient article written almost two years ago to the day. The likely impacts of the quake can be readily estimated, and in any case will soon be reported directly from the surroundings.

The number of deaths reported is only, tragically, going to increase, with the US Geological Survey putting estimates of fatalities in the range of thousands to tens of thousands.

Just one week ago my geophysicist colleagues returned to the UK from a meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, as part of the Earthquakes Without Frontiers research project. The focus was earthquake risk reduction and hazard awareness in Nepal. The risks have been recognised for some time, but I don’t suppose any of the participants expected their work to be thrown into the spotlight so soon.

Professor James Jackson, of Cambridge University and one of the leaders of the Earthquakes Without Frontiers project, talked with me on his return from Kathmandu last weekend. He described tall, thin houses, with extra stories built up on top, explaining how they arise from the Nepalese tradition of sharing inherited property between siblings, with houses split vertically between them.

The only way to build is upwards. In a seismic area, it’s a recipe for disaster, and one can’t help but wonder what this phenomenon has wrought on families in Kathmandu.

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National Earthquake Safety Day

The “National Earthquake Safety Day” is being observed and celebrated across Nepal today. Many small and big Earthquakes have occurred in Nepal since a long time ago at different times. The Earthquake of 2045 B.S, and the Great Earthquake of 2072 B.S, are some major earthquakes of recent times whereas, while talking about earthquakes in this Country much has been said and talked about the great earthquake of 1990 B.S. in which many people lost their lives.

History in Nepal

Nepal ranks 11th in the world in terms of seismic risk or in other words earthquake zone. In terms of earthquakes, Nepal is situated in a more active zone or earthquake-prone country than some other countries, such as Japan, China, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, and Italy. The main reason behind this phenomenon is because of the collision of the African tectonic plate with the Eurasian tectonic plate millions of years ago thus, the Himalayas originated and there is constant friction and movement between these two plates. During this constant movement and friction, if there is a situation where the rock of a place moves, cracks, or blows at some point, then an earthquake occurs. Earthquakes have a long history in the world. According to the records of earthquakes kept in our country, the first earthquake occurred during the reign of King Abhaya Malla on June 1, 1255 (1198 B.S), which had a magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale which killed the king and wiped out one-third of the population of Kathmandu at that time. According to these records, Nepal has been experiencing at least one major earthquake every century since then. This means that even before the earthquake that killed Abhaya Malla in 198 B.S, there were earthquakes that may not have been recorded.

Frequency of Earthquakes in Nepal

In this way, in Nepal every 80 – 90 years to 100 years, there are occurrences of earthquakes with a magnitude 6 to 9 or more than 9 on the Richter scale, and even smaller ones on the Richter scale, which are not given much importance by the people. However, earthquakes are not only a problem in Nepal but are a kind of natural calamity that causes misery to the entire world at different times but, it is not in the hands of the human race to control it. One of the main reasons for so many earthquakes in Nepal is the origin of the Himalayas after the African tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian tectonic plate and the constant friction between these two plates resulting in earthquake waves. This is the reason behind the occurrence of small or bigger earthquakes occurring in our country frequently and big earthquakes occurring every 70-80 years to 80-90 years.

In remembrance of the big earthquake of B.S. 1990, “National Earthquake Safety Day” is being celebrated today with an aim of informing the general public about the earthquake and how to save oneself as well as others in these situations. Earthquakes are an absolute natural disaster that cannot be prevented, but we can protect ourselves from the potential dangers it creates. Because earthquakes themselves do not kill us, therefore if we take precautions during and after the earthquake, damage from the earthquake can be reduced to some extent. Usually, the human injury and death caused by earthquakes are because of people jumping out of a window, balcony, or high place out of fear during an earthquake, or getting trapped under the heavy boundary walls or walls of a house we have built or from others walls, etc around us. A big earthquake of 2072 B.S. i.e 25 April 2015 of magnitude 8.7-8.8 Richter scale hit Gorkha with the epicenter as Barpak and hypocenter at the depth of 8.2 km at NST 11:56 a.m. Gorkha is located 80 kms directly from Kathmandu and 180 kms by road.

This earthquake killed at least 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000 people. Though the epicenter was reported below the Barpak plateau in Gorkha, the tremor was felt heavily in Nepal, Kathmandu, and its surrounding till some towns in India and Bangladesh. The next day, again in the northeast, with the epicenter at Sindhupalchok another tremor occurred with a magnitude of 6.7 Richter scale. Around 100 or more aftershocks of these earthquakes were felt for almost a whole year or more. Immediately after the main earthquake of the first quake, a series of aftershocks began, at intervals of 15 to 30-35 minutes reaching up to the magnitude of 6.6 Richter scale.

The point of origin below the surface of the earth’s core is called the hypocenter and the center of the earthquake above the earth’s surface is called the epicenter of the earthquake. This quake triggered a massive avalanche on Mount Everest, Chomolungma, killing around 22 people. This quake marked the date April 25, 2015, as the most dangerous day in the history of the Himalayas. It is also reported that the second day’s quake of magnitude 7.3 Richter scale left 250 persons missing in the Langtang Valley because of a massive avalanche that occurred due to the tremors.

The earthquake devastated entire villages in many districts of the country and left thousands of Nepalese homeless. Numerous monuments listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site including Kathmandu Durbar Square Complex, Patan Durbar Square Complex, Bhaktapur Durbar Square Complex, as well as many ancient and historically significant temples, like the Changu Narayan Temple, were severely affected and the World Heritage Sites such as the Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa too were damaged by this tremendous earthquake of the decade. Much damage was caused by this earthquake as it also destroyed lots of very ancient and historically important buildings around the heritage sites area. Dharahara, the nine-story tower of 61.88-meter-high, also known as the Bhimsen Stambha (Tower), was also completely destroyed by the earthquake on the first day i.e. 25 April 2015. This tower was a major part of the architecture of Kathmandu valley recognized by UNESCO. Dharahara (Bhimsen Stambha) was built-in 1832 A.D during the reign of (“Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa” mukhtiyar meaning equivalent to the Prime Minister) Bhimsen Thapa consisted of 11 floors but 3 storeys were destroyed by the 1990 B.S leaving it to 9 storeys only.

The quake dried up the sources of water in many places, whereas many new springs appeared and water started coming again from the dried-up Dhunge Dharas (stone taps). Landslides are still going on in many places due to cracks that occurred during the tremors in the mountainous region where there are many human settlements, which still is causing human and property losses. It was common to see huge cracks in roads and highways in many parts of the country as well. The main reason behind the cause of loss of so many human lives, human settlements as well as structural damage or so much impact on the human settlements is certainly the incorrectly built physical structures and infrastructures. In the same way, it is very likely that many people might have been able to save themselves during the quake if they would not have believed in unreasonable and irrational misinformation, such as hiding under a table, hiding under a bed, or leaning against the wall, etc. Because there were cases when people who were in the open air outside when felt the earthquake ran inside their house to hide under the bed or a table. Thus, if the people have had correct information as to what to do in this kind of earthquake, lots of life might have been saved too.

Various geologists, architects, and experts had been warning for decades that Nepal is in the grip of a deadly earthquake due to its geology, urbanization, and architecture. However, the government’s disregard for such warnings is one of the main reasons for the devastation. At the same time, it is important for all levels of government to focus on building earthquake-resistant structures. Older houses that cannot withstand earthquakes should be made earthquake-resistant if these structures are historically significant and are in need of such maintenance. In the same way, it is also obligatory to stop the indiscriminate fragmentation of lands and building settlements without any rules and regulations.

In these kinds of programs, the information about earthquakes should be widely disseminated to each and every household according to the time and situation as to how to stay really safe in the event of an earthquake among the people in general, then only we can be sure that this “National Earthquake Safety Day” will be truly meaningful and fruitful. Natural disasters cannot be prevented, but advance preparations can surely be made. Let us all be careful, be safe from the earthquake, and in an event let us save other lives too. To Read this article in the Nepali Language please click here. 

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Nepal: Gorkha Earthquake 2015

Introduction

The Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal occurred on 25 April 2015 and had a magnitude of 7.6. Its epicentre was about 76km northwest of the capital Kathmandu. It was followed by more than 300 aftershocks. Around 9,000 people were killed, of whom approximately 55 per cent were female, and over 100,000 people were injured. Overall eight million people have been impacted, which is almost one-third of the population of Nepal.

The housing sector was by far the most affected, also given that numerous houses in poorer rural areas did not have any seismic-resistant features. Over 500,000 houses were destroyed and another 269,000 damaged, which included historical and cultural monuments recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to destroyed or damaged key infrastructure livelihoods, e.g. in the agriculture and tourism sector, have been also critically impacted. According to the Post Disaster Needs Assessment by the UN, World Bank and the EU the total value of the damages and losses of the disaster was estimated at US$7.1 billion, while the estimated needs for recovery were US$ 6.7 billion. The damages and losses of the housing sub-sector and the resulting recovery needs accounted for almost half of the total amount respectively.

According to the latest Independent Impacts and Recovery Monitoring by the Asia Foundation around five years after the earthquake the large majority of the affected people live again in their own houses. Out of all households with damaged houses three-quarters now live in either a rebuilt or repaired house or another house not damaged by the earthquake. However, others continue to occupy damaged houses or those without seismic-resistant features. For many households the recovery from the earthquake remains a financial burden, demonstrated by prevalent borrowing. Four per cent who are still living in temporary shelters are in particular need of support.

Knowledge base

Costing disasters: Hedonic pricing, neighborhood effects, and the Nepal Gorkha Earthquakes

Rebuilding historic urban neighborhoods after disasters: Balancing disaster risk reduction and heritage conservation after the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal

Schools saved and lessons learned in the Nepal earthquake

The role of social capital in disaster resilience in remote communities after the 2015 Nepal earthquake

Anatomy of disaster recoveries: Tangible and intangible short-term recovery dynamics following the 2015 Nepal earthquakes

Navigating multidimensional household recoveries following the 2015 Nepal earthquakes

Transition of post-disaster housing of rural households: a case study of the 2015 gorkha earthquake in nepal.

Case study: Nepal earthquake 2015 - engaging communities to build resilience and accountability mechanisms

UNICEF Nepal’s Communication for Development (C4D) response in the immediate aftermath adopted a step-by-step approach, starting with media channels that were still functional, for the immediate dissemination of life-saving messages, collection of

Building back better or restoring inequalities: Gender and conflict sensitivity in the response to Nepal’s 2015 earthquakes

Effective combinations of information content and channels for the post-disaster reconstruction of rural housing: A case study of the 2015 Gorkha Nepal Earthquake

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• My Photography

My experience of earthquake in Nepal

• by Narayan G. Maharjan
• May 8, 2015 May 8, 2015

It was a nearly a middle of a day [Saturday April 25 2015] while me and my friend were talking about our last journey from Kathmandu(Nepal) to Raxaul(India) (friend’s brother’s wedding) and we were so tired as we returned back to Kathmandu just Friday. I was forcing my friend to get off from the bed and take a breakfast but suddenly I felt dizzy movement which was an earthquake, it was so quick with very high intensity of movement. I could easily decide that was a massive quake because there was a mass of crackling sound coming from around my house and those sounds were new to me. I grabbed one big pillow from bed and brought my friend to cover up with that big rectangular pillow. We were sitting side by side near by door frame with our knee down position covering our heads. We were having a tough moment at that time and convince each other for not getting panic. After that massive shake my father and elder brother came down to the ground floor where I am living, Everybody were so terrified by this first sudden quake, we were planning for staying at ground floor for next 5 minutes as it was not quiet safe to go out from home at that moment. I looked outside my window to see the condition and there were people running and I saw my bike fell down and quickly went outside to keep my bike in double stand position. The road way of my house was already cracked, my neighbor’s house also had cracks at the basement, I checked my house as well but it was not hurt.

Now it was a time for me to get temporarily settled, I removed everything (laptop, monitor, other stuffs) from my table and placed that table for making a proper place to hide under it. I went to the top of my house for switching off the gasoline which was left on. My brother then shut down the main power line of the house. It was a noon time 12:00 when this was happening. I grabbed dried food like noodles (10-15), beaten rice (3-4 Kgs) and some puffs from the kitchen and brought things down to ground floor of my house. Everybody was so terrified, I knew it could happen anytime and to be an honest I was also little bit shaky too but it is my responsibility to take care of my family. I found that my mother was outside during that minute on the way to Kirtipur (15~ km away from home). We tried to call mother but almost all mobile network were jammed during that period. I was trying to call my sister many times via cell phone after the quake but she was actually rushing from Civil Mall to Home. I got miss call from another elder brother but I was not able to pick up. Everything were so messed up, people were crying and screaming while talking on a phone.   There were few quakes still coming but it was not that big like before.

After that terrific quake i went to visit dharahara because there was already a massive rumor of “ DHARAHARA ” got collapsed. I could see those fear on everybody because there were so many rumors coming from news about the possible dangerous quake again. It was nearly 3 pm when me and my friend took a bike for a ride. Firstly I saw narayanhiti museum walls got collapsed by the road and then it went even worse when we reached at sundhara to see the dharahara which was totally damaged by the quake. I was shocked by that place . All over the place there was only dust and old bricks remaining. After this big tragic i went to see Civil Mall, one of the biggest of the city ; I could see many cracks and broken glasses around that mall and it was dangerous too. The only thing that I am able to see by looking around the city was “destruction” and it was painful for me to believe the reality. Three neighboring cities of Kathmandu i.e. Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kirtipur were also heavily affected by this quake. I felt like we have no more historical places in Kathmandu area , many years old temples were destroyed. I heart was crying by moment.

Kathmandu, city of concrete houses and you could barely find any free grounds or parks here. Now it was a time to find a free ground places for us to stay temporarily at night. There was a small parking ground nearby my house which was somehow safe than my house so we all packed up few blankets pillow and light mattress for taking a night outside there. It was not possible for all of us(family member) to get a sleep in that area because most of the space of that area were already allocated by other people. It was our compulsion to only stay still and be awake all night.

Today it has been already a week and more and we have faced many troubles and lessons to survive till today. We are still getting few small quakes once a day; we are working on making our country now even better. It is not a time for us to pray instead it is time for us to work hard for building our country better. My deepest sympathy goes for all those peoples and their relatives who had lost their life in this devastating earthquake.

#WeWillBounceBack #TogetherWeStrongerNepal

Earthquake In Nepal Images

Share this:, 4 thoughts on “my experience of earthquake in nepal”.

Narayan, I am speechless, I had no idea. I pray for you and your family.

Please take good care my friend. Can you email me?

Thanks mate 🙂 Nowadays everything is getting back to normal.

I live in Kathmandu , the capital city of Nepal , where an earthquake of 7.9m was hit recently. It was saturday 25th april 2015, I was in my flat at 10th floor. After a short game of train fever, I was having my breakfast.

It’s been more than 3 years that earthquake destroyed Nepal and upto this time, many earthquake victims are suffering. That day was the black day for us.

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Earthquake Contingency Plan Nepal, 2022

Nepal is a high-risk country for natural hazards including earthquakes, floods, landslides, fires and drought. The hazards with the greatest humanitarian impact are earthquakes and floods. Nepal is categorized into three geographical and ecological zones: Terai, hill and mountain areas. The middle hills and higher mountains are highly susceptible to secondary earthquake effects, such as landslides, which can be exacerbated by excessive erosion of hill slopes and rock falls as well as heavy rainfall. The most recent high-impact earthquake in 2015 affected all 37 of 77 districts, 14 of them severely, in the hill and mountain areas. It caused almost 9,000 deaths and displaced approximately 100,000 people