Earthquake Safety Day observed amidst pandemic

KATHMANDU, JANUARY 15

The 23rd National Earthquake Safety Day was observed today in a low-key manner keeping in mind the ongoing COV- ID-19 pandemic.

Nepali Army soldiers participating in earthquake safety drill organised on the occasion of the 23rd Earthquake Safety Day, in Bharatpur, on Friday, January 15, 2021. Photo: RSS

The theme of the day was ‘Earthquake Safety Amid Multi-hazard Disasters: Protection of Lives and Property Together’.

The National Earthquake Day Main Organising Committee formed by the Government of Nepal hosted a lowkey function in Bode of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Bhaktapur.

Speaking at the function as the chief guest, Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa claimed that the government had achieved remarkable number of milestones towards completing the reconstruction and rehabilitation works.

The day was also observed virtually by various agencies and organisations at the federal, provincial and local levels virtually or in persons adhering to health safety protocols.

The day is being observed on Magh 2 of the Nepali Calendar every year since 1919.

The days aims to spread awareness about earthquake safety methods in memory of the 1934 earthquake of the magnitude-8.1 that had killed more than 9,000 people and damaged more than 200,000 buildings.

Similarly, the 7.6-magnitude earthquake of 25 April 2015, the biggest earthquake after 1934, killed nearly 9,000 people and left more than 23,000 others injured. The quake directly affected the lives of eight million people. At least 605,282 private and government buildings were destroyed and 288,261 houses were damaged. As many as 14 districts were declared disaster-hit.

The most-affected districts share more than 90 per cent of the nationwide casualties and property damage.

According to the National Reconstruction Authority, it has made over 90 per cent progress in the reconstruction of private houses. Similarly, restoration of damaged cultural and religious monuments, schools and health facilities are also under way. The total cost requirement for reconstruction and rehabilitation as per the five-year plan is Rs 488 billion. Of this, Rs 339 billion have been spent through the Government of Nepal and the donors, NR said.

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