Earthquake In Developing Country: Nepal 2015 Flashcards
When did the earthquake occur?
On the 25th April 2015
Where did the earthquake occur and what magnitude was it?
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. The original epicentre was around 80km away from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.
What was Nepal’s GDP in 2018?
29.04 billion
What were the primary affects of the earthquake?
-9,000 killed and 20,000 injured
-estimated 3 million people left homeless less as there homes were destroyed
-7,000 schools destroyed, 50% of all shops destroyed
-power, water and communications severely affected
-1.4 million people were urgently in need of food, water and shelter
-the cost of damage was around 5 billion USD
-many historical sites and landmarks were destroyed
What were the secondary affects of the earthquake?
-Landslides and avalanches triggered by the ground shaking, caused damage to infrastructure, blocking roads and trapping people
-The avalanches on mountain Everest killed at least 19 people.
-Landslides blocked rivers causing flooding
-No tsunami as the earthquake started on land
What were the short term responses to the earthquake?
-For the first 24 hours no aid was sent to the affected area due to poor transport links
-within a few days 87million pounds worth of aid arrived from the UK, India and China
-Half a million tents were provided from UNICEF
-Field hospitals were set up as hospitals were overcrowded
-China sent a 62 person search and rescue team
-Helicopters were used for search, rescue and supply distribution.
-300,000 people fled from the capital, Kathmandu
What were the long term planning responses?
-In 2015 there was very little planning even when being one of the most prone countries in the world
-Programmes have been set up to train people in how to respond to earthquakes
What were the long term preparation responses?
-rebuilding is taking place in Nepal, making buildings more resistant to earthquakes
-However many buildings are being rebuilt as one story homes to make them earthquake proof.
-Community led planting of vegetative barriers to stabilise hill slopes and reduce the risk of landslides.
What were the long term prediction responses?
-Although earthquakes cannot be predicted the probability can be calculated using historical data and modelling.
-Landslides and glacial flooding events that are triggered by earthquakes cannot be modelled and predicted to find high risk areas.
