Earthquake in Nepal

Theoretical and statistical analysis of Earthquake in Nepal:

A devastating earth quake with magnitude of 7.8 shocked the entire Nepal on Saturday 25th April 2015. This day will haunt the natives of residents of Nepal forever because of its unbearable damage to lives and properties. This natural disaster swallowed the lives of more than 2500 people so far and injured more than 5000 people. The main city of Nepal i.e. Katmandu faced the major wrath of nature where maximum number of deaths are reported so far. This mega earthquake wasn’t only devastating for Nepal but also to its surrounding areas, this huge shock started avalanches on Mount Everest which resulted in the death of 17 mountain climbers. The southern part of India also reported 34 deaths due to this ground shaking quake.

Tibet and Bangladesh also suffered loss of property and this earthquake was felt in half of the India and china too. As per the geological survey by the team of USA, 12 aftershocks came to play among which highest one was of the magnitude of 6.6.

There are seven UNESCO worlds Heritage sites present in Nepal out of which four of them faced severe damage including Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Basantapur Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa. The most devastating damage was faced by the famous Dharahara tower which is nine-story (200ft) tall and was developed on the orders of queen in 1832. This building was constructed of bricks and this devastating earthquake transformed it into the huge pile of bricks resting on the ground. This ancient skyscraper was opened recently for tourists to enjoy the view but nature had planned something else for it and it buried down a large mass of people beneath it out of which 60 bodies have been pulled out yet.

A political figure in Nepal reported that Nepal already feared great threat of loss of lives in disasters like this because the construction work in Nepal was going on in an unchecked manner. The Nepal Government was building sites vulnerable to natural disasters and if there was any standard of durability in the buildings, the loss of lives could have been much less than suffered.  However, it’s also true that whatever took place can’t be undone, so it’s a lesson for the government and people of Nepal to built safe places rather than building huge unsafe concrete piles prone to disasters.

The international brotherhood rapidly came into action after this disastrous situation arose in Nepal.

1. United States immediately sent their disaster response team to Nepal along with 1 million $ aid to the people who suffered from this disaster. The secretary of State and white house panel also offered condolences to the Nepal and assured their full support.
2. India has tagged their aid for their friendly neighbor with the name of “Operation Maitri” under which Indian aircrafts are carrying food materials to earthquake struck Nepal and the migration of stranded Indian nationals is also going on.
3. According to recent announcement by United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, a major relief funding program along with full support will be provided to this devastated nation.
4. Indian Government has also decided to make 25000 food packets and 25000 drinking water packs available for the residents of Nepal.
5. Rs 12.5 Lakh announcement by Tibetan government to their neighbors also shows off the international brotherhood between countries.
6. Indian Air Force in association with Army’s Gajaraj Corps also started Disaster Management Mechanism under which facilities of shelter and medical checkup will be made available to earth quake hit Nepal.

Vulnerability of Nepal towards Earthquakes:

Earthquakes aren’t any new to Nepal; Nepal being the most seismically active territory is prone to Earth quakes. These vulnerable Earthquakes take place in Nepal due to convergence of Indian tectonic plate and Eurasian tectonic plate under earth’s crust. Two inches of convergence takes place each year which results in the growth of Everest and its sister mountains. After disastrous Earth quakes like this, problem isn’t over there; these are followed by landslides in mountain areas, so the residents of Nepal are being placed in open fields like gardens etc to remain protected from the after events of Earthquake.

If we take this natural disaster into account in relation with the ecology and its principles, it’s being said that this Earthquake is the response of nature towards the artificial and unchecked development of mankind. Whenever human beings try to destabilize the natural cycles, natural disasters take place. So, it’s duty of mankind to follow the nature and progress towards development by keeping natural cycles in mind.