Nepal Earthquake 2015: It's impact and IST's role in Rebuilding the Country
Presentation By: Narendra Bajracharya CEO International School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Kathmandu, Nepal
What caused the Earthquake??
The earthquake activity in Nepal is caused by the ongoing continent-continent collision between India and Asia. That collision has produced the Himalaya Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau. The collision zone wraps around the northwest promontory of the Indian continent in the Hindu Kush region of Tajikistan and Afghanistan then extends to the southeast through Nepal and Bhutan.
Intensity of the Earthquake?? Magnitude 7.8 NEPAL Saturday, April 25, 2015
Shaking Intensity The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale depicts shaking severity. The area nearest Katmandu experienced very strong to severe shaking. Modified Mercalli Intensity
Perceived Shaking Extreme Violent Severe Very Strong Strong Moderate Light Weak Not Felt
USGS Estimated shaking Intensity from M 7.8 Earthquake
Facts about the April 25, 2015 Earthquake • On the fateful day of April 25th 2015 at 11:55 local time Nepal was struck by the massive earthquake measuring to magnitude of 7.9 with an epicenter 77km (48miles) northwest of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal that is home to nearly 4.5 million inhabitants. • Another major aftershock measuring to magnitude of 6.7 rocked the country on April 26th. • Third major aftershock measuring to magnitude of 7.4 stroke once again on May 12 by crippling the lives of Nepalese people. • Life was brought to the major halt after the earthquake shattered houses, temples, monasteries, roads and many more. • Casualties were increasing every minute and devastation were everywhere. • Central region of the country is the worst hit by the catastrophe. • The Earthquake triggered a major avalanche on the south slopes of Mt. Everest. It destroyed the base camp killing 19 people and injuring 61 others.
Facts about the April 25, 2015 Earthquake
The worst hit regions after Kathmandu Valley include Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha.
In Kathmandu Valley, old settlement areas such as Basantapur, Thamel, Sankhu, Bhaktapur, Bungamati, Khokana have suffered major damages.
In the Langtang Valley located in Langtang National Park 329 people were reported missing after an avalanche hit the village of Ghodatabela and the village of Langtang.
It was an area popular on the Langtang trekking route. The village of Langtang has been completely destroyed by the avalanche.
Recent Updated Statistical Data (Source: Nepal Police) • • • • • • • • • •
Death - 8,692 Injured - 22,491 Affected people: 8,000,000+ Totally destroyed houses: 568,697 Loss in education: 8 billion Loss of historic monuments: 590 Collection in Prime Minister Relief fund: 4.2 billion Aftershock since April 25th: More than 300 times Number of Nations supported in search and rescue operation: 30 Time needed for rebuilding: 5-10 years
1 £ = 157.91 NRS Update till 10:00 hrs, May 30, 2015
Casualty Report of the Earthquake : By Nepal Police
Damage in Education • According to the Ministry of Education of Nepal 16,000 public and private schools are affected by the earthquake. • Out of which 5000 primary and secondary school in 36 districts had been completely destroyed. • Almost one million children need help as they are particularly vulnerable to diseases because of unsafe water and sanitation
Damage of World Heritage Sites. • • • • • •
Kathmandu Durbar Square: Partially destroyed Patan Durbar Square: Partially destroyed Changunarayan Temple: Partially destroyed Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Partially damaged Swayambhunath Stupa: Partially damaged Boudhanath Stupa: Minor Damage
Pictures of Devastation.
Dharahara Tower: The 19th-century nine-storey tower was razed practically to the ground in the earthquake. The image on the right shows the 50.5-metre-high historic tower as it is now. The picture on the left was taken in 1998.
Pictures of Devastation.
Durbar Square: One of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, the Durbar Square was the royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom. Now, there's almost nothing.
Pictures of Devastation.
Bhaktapur town was among the worst affected amongst the three towns which makes up the Kathmandu Valley.
Damage of Langtang National Park • Langtang National Park is “completely destroyed” by an avalanche triggered by the earthquake
Langtang was among the worst affected areas. The images here shows the startling change in the landscape.
Road to Recovery • Government has formed a Basket Fund of 20 Trillion Nepalese Rupees • Government has formulated a committee “POST DISASTER NEED ASSESSMENT” to assess in the areas of - Housing and Settlement - Health and Nutrition - Education - Cultural Heritage - Transport - Electricity - Water and Sanitation - Communication - Community Infrastructure - Commerce, Industry and Tourism - Financial Sector - Environment - Employment - Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation - Livelihood and Social Protection • Government is organizing International Donors Meet on June 25, 2015 to discuss about the recovery process and follow up meeting in Sept again • International agencies has pledged to support Nepal in rebuilding process • All sectors are joining hands to rebuild the nation
IST's Role in Rebuilding 1. Access the status of IST family via social media networks and personal calls a. Few permanent employees’ residence located out of the valley has been completely destroyed. b. No casualties among the IST family
IST's Role in Rebuilding 2. Formed a volunteer group consisting
of
management
the team,
teachers as well as the students
current
and
graduates for relief work. a. Provided sanitary kit to the displaced young girls in Sankhu b. Removal of debris at Ram Mandir, over a 100 years old temple in Kathmandu. c. Provided stationeries to one of the badly damaged school in Ramechhap
IST's Role in Rebuilding 3. The management decided to adopt one public school to build so that the kids could go back to school soon. a. Formed a team to survey the areas of: - Khokana - Bungamati - Sankhu - Lakuri Bhanjyang - Gyampe Danda - Lubhu - Bhaktapur - Sisneri
Project for Rebuilding Identified a school: Chandra Suryodaya Primary School in Gyampe Danda , Bhaktapur which is badly affected by the earthquake
Despite the Earthquake •
Electricity was restored in many parts of Kathmandu within 24 hours of the major earthquake
•
Nepal Telecom and Ncell provided uninterrupted service free of charge for 10 days.
•
Military, Nepal Police, Nepal armed force, local youths showed their heroic contribution.
•
Public have shown their solidarity to stand with the earthquake victims, providing relief materials at local level which is praiseworthy.
•
Youths in and out of Nepal are organizing into groups and extending their help to hard-hit parts of the society.
•
This unity if continued, major relief, rehabilitation, and restoration works can be done effectively and efficiently, which can later on prove to be the impetus for the country’s economic growth and development
•
Oscar winning Hollywood star Susan Sarandon visited Nepal and urged tourists to come to the Himalayan Nation.
•
Therefore, Nepal is still a safe tourist destination.
Despite the Earthquake
Youths working day and night to provide relief for the quake victims
Some important facts
CONCLUSION