- Thursday, 19 December 2024
-Dr. Raju Thapa
Kathmandu, April 24: Nepal’s seismic vulnerability is highlighted by its history of frequent and devastating earthquakes. Over the past 52 years, from 1970 to 2022, the region experienced 843 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3 to 5 on the Richter scale, 121 earthquakes between 5 and 6, 11 between 6 and 7, and two significant tremors between 7 and 8.
The Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces are particularly prone to seismic activity, with a notable seismic gap of 500 years indicating potential for future large-scale earthquakes. Recent events include a magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Doti in 2022, which resulted in six fatalities and a 6.3 magnitude quake in Bajhang in 2023 that claimed one life. More tragically, a 6.4 magnitude quake in Jajarkot in 2023 resulted in 154 deaths.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake, a major event with a 7.8 magnitude, occurred at 11:56 am local time with its epicenter in Barpak, Gorkha. This disaster resulted in 8,790 deaths and 22,300 injuries. The quake caused extensive damage to 498,852 private homes, 7,553 educational buildings, 753 heritage sites, 1,197 health facilities, 383 security buildings, and disrupted 3,212 drinking water networks. With a total national budget of 11.8 billion USD in 2015, the earthquake represented a significant economic setback, with damages amounting to 7 billion USD. Its timing during a holiday likely prevented a higher casualty rate, as 19,500 classrooms were destroyed which could have been catastrophic had schools been in session.
In the aftermath of the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake, it was established that 75,517 households in Jajarkot and West Rukum were affected, necessitating significant reconstruction efforts. With the cost of rebuilding a single house estimated at 500,000 rupees, the financial requirement for private homes alone could exceed 35 billion rupees. Despite these needs, nearly half a year has passed since the earthquake, and none of the affected households have received the second installment required to build temporary shelters, indicating that reconstruction could take several years.
A comparison of post-disaster housing reconstruction in South Asia shows varied response times and effectiveness. Pakistan and Gujarat, India, formed their respective emergency reconstruction agencies, the EERA and GSDMA, within two weeks of their disasters. In contrast, Nepal took eight months to establish the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA). Despite this delay, Nepal managed to complete 85% of its reconstruction within six years, while Pakistan achieved 96% in five years and Gujarat 94% in the same period. This indicates that while reconstruction efforts can be slow and fraught with challenges, substantial progress is achievable over time. The reconstruction process following the Jajarkot earthquake is expected to be lengthy, reflecting broader regional trends in disaster recovery.
These facts also highlight the complexities of the reconstruction process, which often requires considerable time. Thus, it’s crucial for people to have temporary shelter before the onset of the monsoon season.
Let’s have a look at Jajarkot earthquake case. In the aftermath of the earthquake in Jajarkot and West Rukum, the rapid response by the government to distribute the first installment of funds for temporary shelter construction provided initial relief to the affected families. This aid was crucial for beginning the process of rebuilding, distributed with minimal documentation to expedite relief. However, this initially streamlined process has led to significant complications in distributing the second installment of aid, primarily due to the new requirement for concrete documentation, including land ownership certificates.
This documentation requirement has unveiled a critical issue: an inflated number of beneficiaries, significantly higher than the actual number of households recorded before the earthquake. For instance, in Jajarkot, the count of beneficiary households post-earthquake rose to 42,524, compared to the 37,466 households registered in CBS census 2021. This discrepancy is largely attributed to local governments possibly inflating numbers for political interests, compounding the challenge of aid distribution.
As a result, more than Rs 50 crores allocated for the second installment in both districts remains unclaimed, trapping many families who had started shelter construction in a cycle of debt, having taken out high-interest loans in anticipation of further government aid. The delay has placed these families in a precarious financial and emotional state, exacerbated by the approaching monsoon season which adds urgency to complete the construction of shelters to avoid further hardship.
Living conditions within these temporary shelters present their own set of challenges. Constructed predominantly from zinc sheets, the shelters are subject to extreme temperatures, becoming unbearably hot during the day and uncomfortably cold at night. Additionally, the design of these shelters does not accommodate the needs of larger families, forcing them into cramped and inadequate living spaces. The lack of privacy and security is particularly challenging for women and girls, who have no safe room to escape increasing their vulnerability to domestic violence in stressful living conditions.
The pressing need for a revised approach to both the aid distribution process and the design and construction of temporary shelters is evident. The government must address the inflated beneficiary counts, ensure the swift disbursement of the second installment, and consider the actual living and safety needs of the affected populations. Only through a comprehensive and coordinated response can the well-being of earthquake-affected families be effectively prioritized, helping them to rebuild their lives with dignity and security in the face of ongoing challenges. [Writer is chairperson, Disaster Preparedness Network (DPNet)]
—
Government is active in developing country as a hub of medical education: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has pointed out the need of remaining alert as newer and newer challenges are seen in the health sector.
Addressing the First Convocation Ceremony of Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) today, the PM called for paying special attention to resolving problems seen in the health sector. “The Academy should develop more infrastructures for facing and managing whatever challenges that might arise in the health sector. Special emphasis should be given to making the hospital’s services further standard and effective,” he asserted.
According to the PM’s Private Secretariat, the Prime Minister on the occasion stressed on the need of producing skilled human resources in the medical sector who are inspired by a sense of social responsibility to reach quality health care services in the rural areas, stating that a large area of Nepal comprised of rural region.
Pointing out the need of expanding the access of health services to the rural areas, the PM opined that the COVID-19 pandemic made the fact clear that the general Nepalis can avail of affordable health services only when the public health institutions are strong and robust.
He said the government has kept the capacity enhancement of all the public hospitals in priority and urged the PAHS to take further initiatives to increasing the access of all to health services, the quality of service and to provide specialized health care services along with the identification of the social, cultural and environmental causative factors that affect the human health in the community.
As the Prime Minister shared, the PAHS providing the health insurance programme and the community-based services in collaboration with the local government is an exemplary work.
He said it is necessary to set up an integrated medical science academy to remove the duplication existing in the medical education and health service and for the management, operation and regulation of all the health and medical science institutions within the country.
“Attention should be paid towards enhancing the capacity of all the health institutions, community hospitals and the cooperative hospitals in order to provide the basis and quality health services to all the citizens,” the PM reiterated and asserted that the government has been making the necessary preparations towards developing Nepal as the ‘hub’ for medical education.
—
Barpark commemorates 2015’s Gorkha Earthquake
Gorkha, April 24: The Barpak Sulikot rural municipality in Gorkha observed a public holiday today, commemorating the Gorkha Earthquake that occurred on Baisakh 12, 2072 (April 25, 2015) with its epicenter at Barpak.
The local government announced a public holiday for today in commemoration of the devastating Gorkha earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, according to rural municipality Chair Bishnu Prasad Bhatta. A meeting of the rural municipality’s executive on Tuesday agreed to observe the public holiday on Baisakh 12 in the Nepali calendar in commemoration of those killed in the disaster.
A special programme was organised at the playground of Barpak-based Himalaya Secondary School today to pay tributes to those killed in the disaster. The official data puts the number of the quake fatalities at 8,979 with 471 alone in the district and 72 in Barpak. A total of 22,309 were injured in the quake while it highly affected 14 districts causing damages in 31 districts in the country.
—
PM Dahal and Qatari Amir meet
Kathmandu, April 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and the visiting Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, held a meeting today. The high-level bilateral meeting was held in Soaltee Hotel.
During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral cooperation, mutual interests, strengthening of bilateral relations, and common interests among others were discussed, according to foreign affairs advisor to the Prime Minister, Rupak Sapkota.
On the occasion, the two sides observed the signing and exchange of agreements/MoUs on communications, sports, science and technology, industry, and commerce.
The Qatari Amir arrived here on Tuesday afternoon on a two-day State visit at the friendly invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel.
—
Nepal and Qatar agree on collaboration in eight sectors
Kathmandu, April 24: Nepal and Qatar have reached to an agreement and understanding to collaborate in the art and culture, education, communication, youth and sports, legal assistance, and the industry and commerce sectors.
These agreements and MoUs were signed today on the occasion of the State Visit of Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, said Amrit Bahadur Rai, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration in the area of art and culture, exchange of news between the official news agencies of Nepal and Qatar, and exchange of cooperation in the education sector.
The agreements and MoUs were signed in the witness of the Qatari Amir and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ following bilateral talks between them at the Soaltee Hotel today.
The Agreement signed today is on Cooperation and Exchange of News between National News Agency, Nepal (RSS) and Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The MoUs signed include: the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Fields of Culture and Arts between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Field of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Youth and Sports between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Diplomatic Training and Education between The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Government of Nepal and The Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Padam Giri and Qatar’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sultan Bin Saad Al Muraikhi signed on the MoUs at the government level on behalf Nepal and Qatar, respectively.
Similarly, a MoU related to exchange of investment has been signed between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce in the private sector.
FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Shekh Khalif Bin Jasim Al Thani signed on the MoU on behalf of FNCCI and Qatar Chamber of Commerce respectively.
—
PM Dahal hosts luncheon in honour of Qatari Amir
Kathmandu, April 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The event was held at the Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu and the Prime Minister welcomed the distinguished guest from Qatar. High-profile people from both sides joined the luncheon.
Prior to this, PM Dahal and the Qatari Amir held a bilateral meeting at Soaltee Hotel. On the occasion, the two sides observed the signing and exchange of agreements/MoUs on communications, sports, science and technology, industry, and commerce.
On the occasion, the two sides observed the signing and exchange of agreements/MoUs on communications, sports, science and technology, industry, and commerce.
The Qatari Amir paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel at Shital Niwas on Tuesday itself. The President hosted a state banquet in honour of the Qatari dignitary on Tuesday evening.
The visit marks the first highest-level visit from the entire Middle East. The Qatari Amir is scheduled to depart here for home at 2:00 pm.
—
Amir of State of Qatar returns home after wrapping up state visit to Nepal
Kathmandu, April 24: The Amir of the friendly country Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, returned home today on completion of his two-day State Visit to Nepal.
President Ramchandra Paudel had reached at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to bid farewell to the Qatari Amir.
Also present at TIA to see off the Amir were Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang and Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, among other high officials.
A contingent of the Nepali Army offered a guard of honour and fired 21 cannon salvoes on the occasion.
The Qatari Amir had arrived here on Tuesday for the State Visit at President Paudel’s invitation. He and President Paudel held talks at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas in the evening the same day. President Paudel hosted a banquet in the Amir’s honour the same evening.
Prime Minister Dahal and the Qatari Amir held delegation-level talks today. The two countries signed an agreement and five memoranda of understanding on various areas of cooperation on the occasion.
This is the Amir’s first visit to Nepal after the two countries established diplomatic ties on January 21, 1977.
Nepal had set up its embassy in Doha on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Kathmandu in August 2011.
—
Minister Bhandari stresses curriculum containing information on earthquake
Kathmandu, April 24: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari highlighted the need for curriculum and textbook containing information on earthquakes.
Minister Bhandari expressed so while inaugurating a photo exhibition organized by the Department of Mines and Geology as well as Sambahika Samaj Samuha, an organization of working women journalists in Nepal, here today to commemorate the Gorkha Earthquake that occurred in Nepal on April 25, 2015.
Bhandari emphasized incorporating information about earthquake, its causes and effects and preventive measures among others that, he viewed, would sensitize the students about seismic activities including quake thereby reducing the risk of the disaster.
He asserted, “A person could forget about the damages incurred by earthquake. The State cannot afford to forget or remain oblivious about it. I pledge to take initiatives on the behalf of the government to incorporate information about earthquake in the textbooks and curriculum of the schools.”
Stating that Nepal was an earthquake-prone zone, the Minister underscored a detailed study of the quake and observing a thorough precaution. He also drew attention towards building quake-resilient infrastructures to minimize the risk of quake.
Similarly, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Krishna Bahadur Raut, said that the exhibition served as a reminder of the quake that caused a massive humanitarian, physical and economical loss.
It may be noted that an earthquake of 7.9 magnitude had jolted Nepal with an epicenter in Barpak of Gorkha district in April 25, 2015.
The quake and subsequent aftershocks led to over 9 thousands deaths and over 22,000 injuries besides incurring damages to over 800,000 buildings across the country.
Likewise, a recent massive quake of 6.4 magnitude was recorded in the western part of the country on November 3, 2023 with an epicenter in Jajarkot district.
Altogether 156 people were killed and hundreds were injured in the quake while over 80 houses were damaged in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim among others adjacent districts.
Also speaking in today’s exhibition, Director General of the Department Ram Prasad Ghimire shared that they were preparing curriculum containing information on earthquake for various levels.
He lamented that although they had put in place the ‘National Building Code’, problems were there due to its lax implementation in many local levels.
The code covered requirements for seismic analysis and design of various building structures to construct within Nepal.
Dr Lok Bijay Adhikari, senior seismologist in the Department echoed with Minister Bhandari and Director General Ghimire and pressed for building concrete and sturdy infrastructures that are seismic resilience.
Sambahika Samaj Nepal’s President Chadani Hamal said that they organized the photo exhibition to commemorate the Gorkha Earthquake. She mentioned that they had been consistently enhancing advocacy for disaster risk reduction.
—
Health Ministry urges public to take prevention against heatwave
Kathmandu, April 24: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take preventive measures against the heatwave that has already started sweeping across the Tarai region.
The effects of heat waves include fast heartbeat, breathing complications, low blood pressure level, sweating, severe headache, dizziness, sickness, and so on.
According to physician Dr Bimal Chalise, the chief consultant of Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, with soaring temperatures, the Tarai settlements are prone to the effects of heatwave.
The heatwave may affect the brain, the doctor said, urging the public to avoid exposure during daytime as much as possible during the presence of heatwave that may cause dehydration, affecting the kidneys and heart.
Preventive measures
The doctor suggests an intake of plenty of drinking water, having a cold shower, use of an umbrella during and covering of head with a thin cloth while going outside, wearing cotton clothes, choosing morning or evening hours to undertake work outside the home, intake of lemon and water, coconut water and fresh juice, intake of fruits and cucumber.
If possible, do not go outside the home during the day, not spend much time in the kitchen, to stay away from smoking and drinking beverages, tea, coffee, and soda-mixed water.
—
RSS and QNA ink agreement on exchange of news
Kathmandu, April 24: The Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) and the Qatar News Agency (QNA) have signed an agreement on news exchange here today.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement was signed between the two state-run news agencies here today in course of the two-day state visit of Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The Qatar Amir arrived Nepal on last Tuesday at the invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel.
The agreement signing ceremony took place in the witness of the Qatari Amir and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, according to Dr Rupak Sapkota, PM Dahal’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs.
The exchange of news between the two state-run news agencies is expected to facilitate various media here and in Qatar to access news from both countries thereby benefiting the people of the both countries.
RSS, the only state-run news agency in the country, was established in 2061 while the QNA on May 25, 1975.
—
Himalayan Hydro Expo begins
Kathmandu, April 24: The Himalayan Hydro Expo- 2024 has kicked off.
Prior to this, the Kathmandu Electric Vehicle (EV) rally was held this morning with the participation of 300 people, and the rally was inaugurated by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet.
The aim of the Expo organized by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) is to encourage the consumption of electricity and electric vehicles.
In his address to the rally, the Minister expressed his hope that the Expo organised on the eve of the Nepal Investment Summit would contribute to making the Summit successful.
According to IPPAN President Ganesh Karki, the rally was themed ‘Our electricity, let’s consume ourselves’. As he said, the event is relevant when the government aims to produce 1300 MW of electricity by 2035 AD.
President Ramchandara Paudel is scheduled to formally inaugurate the Expo themed “Green Energy for Prosperity” on Thursday.
—
Nepal-Qatar bilateral talks: PM Dahal urges Qatar to increase investment in Nepal
Kathmandu, April 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that there should be an exchange of bilateral assistance between Nepal and Qatar in the best interests of both nations by further consolidating the bilateral ties.
During a bilateral talks held between the Amir (monarch) of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on Tuesday on the two-day state visit, the Prime Minister apprised the distinguished guest from Qatar that Nepal offers ample and appropriate opportunities for investment in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure sectors.
Stating that Nepali migrant workers in Qatar have served as a tool to further strengthen the friendly relations between Nepal and Qatar, the Prime Minister spoke of the need to deepen such ties in the days to come.
He utilised the meeting to call on Qatar to facilitate the safe release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi who has been missing since the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Stating Nepal and Qatar always enjoy a cordial relationship, the Prime Minister said this relationship is founded on cordial friendship, mutual respect, trust, and assistance. “Qatar remains as a reliable friend of Nepal and such relations are getting deeper and extended. These relations are not limited to just an official level and but have been expanded to the people-to-people level as well.”
He expressed his hope that a high-level visit between the two countries will contribute to further strengthening ties, taking them to a new height.
Describing Nepal as ‘one the attractive destinations for investment for the globe’, the Prime Minister said agriculture, energy, hydropower, infrastructure development, tourism, information and communications technology, service and hospitality sectors are suitable areas for foreign investment in Nepal.
Stating that Nepal was a suitable place for producing organic agricultural products due to its geographical diversity, PM Dahal said that the Qatari investors would be encouraged to consider investment in this sector since Nepal was an centre of attraction in tourism in the world parlance, the PM asserted that the foreign investment made in tourism infrastructures would not go in vain.
He viewed that the ascent of the highest mountain in the world-Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) by first Qatari man , Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Thani in 2013, had contributed in promotion of Nepal’s tourism in the world.
On the occasion, PM Dahal requested to include Nepal in the list of Qatar’s Tourism Authority’s external tourism destination.
Proposal for flight to Qatar from Lumbini and Pokhara
PM Dahal urged the Qatari government for operation of flights from Lumbini and Pokhara to Qatar as well. The PM placed the request during the bilateral discussions.
Stating that there were effective and sufficient air transportation between Kathmandu to Doha, PM Dahal urged the Qatari government to consider operating flights from Lumbini and Pokhara to Doha as well.
Stating that many agreements and MoU were signed between Nepal and Qatar, PM Dahal viewed that the agreements and MoU between the two countries should be amended and updated with the demand of time.
Migrant labour and bilateral relations
PM Dahal observed that around 400,000 Nepalis migrant workers working in Qatar at present were an important bridge further cementing the bilateral ties between Nepal and Qatar.
Sharing that the government of Nepal was going to establish vocational training and skill development centre for aspiring Nepali migrant workers to Qatar, he urged the Qatari government for its assistance in setting up such centre.
Nepal’s priority is economic development
Prime Minister Dahal asserted that economic development is Nepal’s priority and it expected continued support from the friendly countries and the development partners for fulfilling its development aspirations, including the graduation from least developed country status in 2026, stating economic development was Nepal’s priority.
He expressed the confidence that the Government of Qatar will provide assistance to Nepal in the development of big infrastructure projects as international standard cricket and football stadiums, hydropower production and construction of hospitals and health facilities.
Request to take initiative for Bipin Joshi’s release
Likewise, Prime Minister Dahal has urged Qatar to take initiative for securing the safe release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi who has gone missing after the Hamas’ on Israel.
“Bipin Joshi, an innocent Nepali student who was in Israel in connection to his educational practical exam, is missing following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and his condition is not known yet,” the PM said, adding, “I want to again place a request before he Government of Qatar for facilitating his prompt and safe release.”
He further said, “I would like to request Your Highness to take personal initiative and draw attention on this topic.”
Expressing concern over the deteriorating situation in West Asia, the PM wished that may peace be restored with the halt in war at the earliest.
Taskforce to facilitate investment
Meanwhile, Nepal and Qatar have agreed to form a taskforce from both sides to facilitate investment and other areas of mutual cooperation.
According to Dr Rupak Sapkota, foreign affairs advisor to the Prime Minister, such an agreement was reached during the one-to-one and the bilateral delegation level between Prime Minister Dahal and the Qatari Amir who returned home today on completion of his two-day State visit to Nepal beginning on Tuesday.
—
Jhapa road mishap update: Three deceased identified
Damak (Jhapa), April 24: The identity of the three persons who died in a road accident that occurred at Shivasatakshi-8, Jhiljhile in Jhapa this morning has been ascertained.
They are 26-year-old Mausam Rai, 25-year-old Yunis Bhandari and 17-year-old Saroj Regmi of local Kamal rural municipality-4, the District Police Office Jhapa said. They were traveling on the same motorcycle when a jeep hit it.
According to Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Jhapa, Krishna Kumar Chand, the three persons died in the road mishap that occurred when a motorcycle (Me 3 Pa 5001) heading towards Surunga from Damak collided with a jeep (Province.1-01-001 Cha 9329) coming from the opposite direction on the East-West Highway.
They breathed their last while undergoing treatment. The Area Police Office has initiated necessary investigation by arresting jeep driver.
—
