Disaster Prevention & Preparedness: Earthquake in Nepal

CONTENTS
Chapter I Introduction
1.1 Importance of field work 01
1.2 Choice of field area 01
1.3 Field work experience 03
Chapter II Study area
2.1 At a Glance 04
2.1.1 Topography 04
2.1.2 Drainage 06
2.1.3 Climate 06
2.1.4 Seasons 08
2.1.5 Environment 08
2.1.6 Forests 09
2.1.7 Economics 10
2.2 Transit
2.2.1 Transit Table 13
2.2.2 Transit Maps 15
2.3 Disaster scenario of Nepal 16
2.3.1 Earthquake: Timeline 17
2.3.2 Causes 19
2.3.3 Impact 21
2.3.4 Who ishelpingNepal? 29
2.3.5 Response 30
2.3.6 ChallengesandGaps 22
2.3.7 Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Status 31
Chapter III Objectives & Methodology 32
Chapter IV Literature review 33
Chapter V Glimpses into the field work 41
Chapter VI Data representation and Analysis 43
Chapter VII Findings and Suggestions 62
Chapter VIII Conclusions 65
Chapter IX Bibliography 66

1
CHAPTER I
1.1 IMPORTANCE OF FIELD WORK IN GEOGRAPHY
Field work is one of the unique attributes of Geography. As a subject concerned with the study of
phenomena in relation to the physical environment, it is mostly limited to the classrooms only ultimately
failing to make it more realistic, meaningful and intellectually challenging. This is where the role of field
work is emphasized the most. Geographers regard fieldwork as a vital instrument for understanding our
world through direct experience, for gathering basic data about this world, and as a fundamental method
for enacting geographical education. It allows students to gather their own (primary) data, provide
opportunities to extend classroom learning through direct observation and experience, and allow for
scientific research through field experiments. It involves the process of observing and collecting data about
people, cultures, and natural environments. It is important in both the social and natural sciences. Social
sciences, such as economics or history, focus on people, culture, and society. Natural sciences, such
as biology or chemistry, focus on physical characteristics of nature and natural environments.
As the term suggests, field works are learning experiences outside of the classroom. Field studies allow
students to gather their own (primary) data, provide opportunities to extend classroom learning through
direct observation and experience, and allow for scientific research through field experiments. Field study
trips include effective learning experience like Activating, Acquiring, and Applying Strategies helping the
students to involve in learning rather than being passive spectators on a trip. It requires careful planning for
meaningful learning experiences before, during, and after the trip.
Field work helps in improving knowledge of geography and understanding giving us a chance to learn skills
in data collection and analysis, map work, observational and investigative skills, computer and
technology skills, communication and mathematical skills; gives a chance to experience and enjoy a wide
range of environments and landscapes; helps us understand other peoples and cultures, and introspect our
own views about social, political or environmental issues which can’t be gained from reading books. In
short it utilizes every knowledge a student has gained through various different subjects of Geography. It
also develops our leadership, communication skills and teamwork spirits and moreover its enjoyable. These
qualities have made field work an integral part of the geography and a vital and valuable component of the
compulsory phase of every student’s Geography experience.
The basic principal of geography may be learned by indoor study of the subject but it is only with systematic
knowledge of various geographical elements that a geographic sense can be inculcated. When the student
has picked up the basic principles he can be proceed of facts; their analysis may be done and the main
geographical factors which are operating there may be thoroughly apprehended.
1.2 CHOICE OF FIELD AREA
Field work is the process of observing and collecting data about people, cultures, and natural environments.
Field work is conducted in the wild of our everyday surroundings rather than in the semi-controlled
environments of a lab or classroom. This allows researchers to collect data about the dynamic places,
people, and species around them. Field work enables students and researchers to examine the way scientific
theories interact with real life. Field work is important in both the social and natural sciences. Social
sciences, such as economics or history, focus on people, culture, and society. Natural sciences, such
as biology or chemistry, focus on physical characteristics of nature and natural environments.

2
Field area of Kathmandu, Chautara and Barhabise (Nepal) were selected by the students taking
consideration the following aspects:
 Geographical vividness (Rural- Urban dichotomy)
 Proximity to India
 Affordability
 Appropriate for the study themes (Disaster prone zone)
Nepal, country of Asia, lying along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain ranges. It is a landlocked
country located between India to the east, south, and west and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to
the north. Its territory extends roughly 500 miles (800 kilometres) from east to west and 90 to 150 miles
from north to south. Nepal is a very popular tourist destination apart from its history, culture and scenic
locations, it is also known for its Buddhist places. Many perennial rivers flow in the state, and numerous
hydroelectricity projects set up.
Kathmandu is a pupil-dilating experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to
sensory overload. Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a
rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of
Thamel, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place. The metropolitan city area is
50.67 square kilometres (19.56 sq mi) and has a population density of 3000per km² and 17000 per km
square in city. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped
Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki,
Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu Valley is part of three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and
Bhaktapur), has the highest population density in the country, and is home to about a twelfth of Nepal's
population. This endlessly fascinating, sometimes infuriating city has enough sights to keep you busy for
a week, but be sure to leave its backpacker comforts and explore the ‘real Nepal’ before your time runs
out. Fine mountain views and warm days until December, with high-season crowds. March brings the
Seto Machhendranath festival. Days can be hot in May. Hot days and frequent monsoon showers, but also
the spectacular Indra Jatra festival in June- September. The 2015 earthquake destroyed several temples in
Kathmandu's Unesco-listed Durbar Sq, but most areas emerged unscathed. Stroll through the backstreets
and Kathmandu’s timeless cultural and artistic heritage still reveals itself in hidden temples overflowing
with marigolds, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, and tiny hobbit-sized workshops.
Chautara is a municipality in Sindhupalchowk District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. It is now
divided to 14 wards. This is the district headquarters of the Sindhupalchowk District. The municipality
stands at the elevation of approximately 1,600 m above sea level. Religious and cultural festivities form a
major part of the lives of people residing in Chautara. There are people of various religious beliefs,
Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity as well, giving Chautara a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the most
commonly spoken language in the municipality. Likewise, Newari and other languages such as Tamang is
also spoken as the Newars and Tamangs dominate the settlement in population. Chautara is in
the Deciduous Monsoon Forest Zone, one of five vegetation zones defined for Nepal. The dominant tree
species in this zone are oak, pine, beech, maple and others, with coniferous trees at higher altitude. The
town was severely affected by the earthquake on 25 April 2015. Over ninety percent of the homes in the
town had been destroyed. The main hospital of the town had collapsed. The town suffered from water
shortages.[2] Relief workers and the Nepali army met government officials in Chautara to discuss the
emergency response to the humanitarian crisis. However, government officials have stayed out of sight
due to the anger of the residents of the town. Dozens of people crowded in front of the administrative
office in Chautara, demanding that officials deliver more tents to earthquake survivors sleeping without
shelter. The government had tents, but they were not given to the residents of the town.

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Bahrabise is a city in Sindhupalchok District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. It consists of nine
wards. t is lies on Araniko Highway - the 114 km-long highway which connects the capital
city Kathmandu to the Chinese border in the north. The village was affected by the earthquake on 25
April 2015. A joint coordination committee among all political parties in the three constituencies of the
Sindhupalchok district was formed to carry out a rescue mission in the village.
1.3 FIELD WORK EXPERIENCE
It’s a great experience. It broadened my perception in many ways and it too helped me improve some of
my skills. My field placement has been an incredible avenue for me to learn and practice. Under the
guidance of two brilliant supervisors, I have had the opportunity to grow both as an individual and a future
field work researcher. This experience has completely exceeded my expectations of what I thought I would
learn in the field. I was fortunate to have highlighted the numerous strengths of the community through
various spheres.
Got to know the
diversity and
dichotomy of socio-
cultural, spatial
features in the
study area
Got to know the
implementation
of Government
policies
Developed
interaction skills
Recreation
Increase in
Knowledge base
Enhancement in
Analytical skills
Developed team
spirit

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CHAPTER II
STUDY AREA
2.1 AT A GLANCE
Nepal, country of Asia, lying along the southern slopes of
the Himalayan mountain
ranges. It is a landlocked
country located between
India to the east, south,
and west and the Tibet
Autonomous Region of
China to the north. Its
territory extends roughly
500 miles (800
kilometres) from east to
west and 90 to 150 miles
from north to south. The
capital is Kathmandu. Nepal, long under the rule of
hereditary prime ministers favouring a policy of isolation,
remained closed to the outside world until a palace revolt in
1950 restored the crown’s authority in 1951; the country
gained admission to the United Nations in 1955. In 1991 the
kingdom established a multiparty parliamentary system. In
2008, however, after a decadelong period of violence and
turbulent negotiation with a strong Maoist insurgency, the
monarchy was dissolved, and Nepal was declared a
democratic republic.
Wedged between two giants, India and China, Nepal seeks
to keep a balance between the two countries in its foreign
policy—and thus to remain independent. A factor that
contributes immensely to the geopolitical importance of the
country is the fact that a strong Nepal can deny China access
to the rich Gangetic Plain; Nepal thus marks the southern
boundary of the Chinese sphere north of the Himalayas in
Asia.
2.1.1 TOPOGRAPHY
Despite being such a small country, Nepal is extensively
diverse in terms of topography. Mountains and rugged hills
cover almost 75% of Nepal's land area, and beyond the
perpetual snow lined mountains exists the tropical region of
Tarai. The Tarai Region (in the south) along the border with
India, is a low stretch of land, containing Nepal's lowest
point: Kanchan Kalan at 229 ft. (70 m). This area is Nepal's
most significant agricultural region.
In addition to Tarai, Nepal is home to two more distinct
horizontal regions:
The Hill Region (central) consists of mountains, hills, flatlands and deep valleys, with elevations ranging
from 1,968 to 9,842 ft. (600 to 3,000 m).
Land Area 143,351 km2
Water Area 3,830 km2
Total Area 147,181km2 (#93)
Population 29,033,914 (#45)
Population
Density
202.54/km2
Government
Type
Federal Parliamentary
Republic
GDP (PPP) $71.52 Billion
GDP Per
Capita
2,500$
Currency Rupee (NPR)
Population
living on $1.25
per day
25%
Capital Kathmandu
Human
Development
Index
Nepal ranks among the
poorest — 145 out of 188
countries
Risk of
earthquakes
Nepal ranks 11th in the
world for vulnerability to
earthquakes
Percentage of
population in
urban areas
19%

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The Himalayan Region (north) contains 202 mountains rising to more than 19,685 ft. (6,000 m) and 13
mountains rising to more than 26,246 ft. (8,000 m) high, including, of course, Mt. Everest, the world's
highest mountain at 29,035 ft. (8,850 m), and the enormous Annapurna massif.
Also within the Himalayan region is the Kali Gandaki Gorge, which by some measures is considered the
deepest gorge in the world, and (over the past several centuries) has been utilized as a trade route between
India and Tibet.
The snow-covered mountains of Nepal are replete with cold water rivers; the four major ones (from west
to east) are the Kail, Karnali, Narayani and Kosi. As a result of its years of geographic and self-imposed
isolation, Nepal is one of the least developed nations of the world. In recent years many countries, including
India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark, Germany, Canada, and Switzerland,
have provided economic assistance to Nepal. The extent of foreign aid to Nepal has been influenced to a
considerable degree by the strategic position of the country between India and China.
Natural Resouces Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of
lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use Arable land: 16%
Permanent rops: 0.8%
Irrigated land: 11,680 km² (2003) Nearly 50% of arable land
Others: 83.2%
Renewable water resource 210.2 km3 (2011)
Natural Hazard Earthquake, severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and
famine depending on the timing, intensity and duration of the summer
monsoons
Environmental issues Deforestation overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives);
contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff,
and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
International Agreements
(Environmental)
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Wetlands
Signed but not ratified: Marine life conservation
Existing and proposed dams, barrages and canals for flood control,
irrigation and hydroelectric generation.

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2.1.2
DRAINAGE
The
Kāthmāndu
Valley, the
political and
cultural hub of
the nation, is
drained by the
Bāghmati
River, flowing
southward,
which washes
the steps of the
sacred temple
of
Paśupatinātha
(Pashupatinath) and rushes out of the valley through the deeply cut Chhobar gorge. Some sandy layers of
the lacustrine beds act as aquifers (water-bearing strata of permeable rock, sand, or gravel), and springs occur
in the Kāthmāndu Valley where the sands outcrop. The springwater often gushes out of dragon-shaped
mouths of stone made by the Nepalese; it is then collected in tanks for drinking and washing and also for
raising paddy nurseries in May, before the monsoon. Drained by the Seti River, the Pokharā Valley, 96 miles
west of Kāthmāndu, is also a flat lacustrine basin. There are a few remnant lakes in the Pokharā basin, the
largest being Phewa Lake, which is about two miles long and nearly a mile wide. North of the basin lies the
Annapūrna massif of the Great Himalaya Range.
The major rivers of Nepal—the Kosi, Nārāyani (Gandak), and Karnāli, running southward across the strike
of the Himalayan ranges—form transverse valleys with deep gorges, which are generally several thousand
feet in depth from the crest of the bordering ranges. The watershed of these rivers lies not along the line of
highest peaks in the Himalayas but to the north of it, usually in Tibet.
The rivers have considerable potential for development of hydroelectric power. Two irrigation-
hydroelectric projects have been undertaken jointly with India on the Kosi and Nārāyani rivers. Discussions
have been held to develop the enormous potential of the Karnāli River. A 60,000-kilowatt hydroelectric
project at Kulekhani, funded by the World Bank, Kuwait, and Japan, began operation in 1982.
In the upper courses of all Nepalese rivers, which run through mountain regions, there are little or no flood
problems. In low-lying areas of the Tarai plain, however, serious floods occur.
The rivers and small streams of the Tarai, especially those in which the dry season discharge is small, are
polluted by large quantities of domestic waste thrown into them. Towns and villages have expanded without
proper provision for sewage disposal facilities, and more industries have been established at selected centres
in the Tarai. The polluted surface water in the Kāthmāndu and Pokharā valleys, as well as in the Tarai, are
unacceptable for drinking.
2.1.3 CLIMATE
Altitudinal Belts
Nepal's latitude is about the same as that of Florida, however with elevations ranging from less than 100
meters (300 ft) to over 8,000 meters (26,000 ft) and precipitation from 160 millimeters (6 in) to over 5,000
millimeters (16 ft) the country has eight climate zones from tropical to perpetual snow.[2]

7
The tropical zone below 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) experiences frost less than once per decade. It can be
subdivided into lower tropical (below 300 meters or 1,000 ft.) with 18% of the nation's land area) and upper
(18% of land area) tropical zones. The best mangoes and well as papaya and banana are largely confined to
the lower zone. Other fruit such as litchee, jackfruit, citrusand mangoes of lower quality grow in the upper
tropical zone as well. Winter crops include grains and vegetables typically grown in temperate climates.
The Outer Terai is virtually all in the lower tropical zone. Inner Terai valleys span both tropical zones. The
Sivalik Hills are mostly upper tropical. Tropical climate zones extend far up river valleys across the Middle
Hills and even into the Mountain regions.
The subtropical climate zone from 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,300 to 6,600 ft) occupies 22% of Nepal's land
area and is the most prevalent climate of the Middle Hills above river valleys. It experiences frost up to 53
days per year, however this varies greatly with elevation, proximity to high mountains and terrain either
draining or ponding cold air drainage. Crops include rice, maize, millet, wheat, potato, stone fruits and
citrus.
The great majority of Nepal's population occupies the tropical and subtropical climate zones. In the Middle
Hills, upper-caste Hindus are concentrated in tropical valleys which are well suited for rice cultivation while
Janajati ethnic groups mostly live above in the subtropical zone and grow other grains more than rice.
The Temperate climate zone from 2,000 to 3,000 meters (6,600 to 9,800 ft) occupies 12% of Nepal's land
area and has up to 153 annual days of frost. It is encountered in higher parts of the Middle Hills and
throughout much of the Mountain region. Crops include cold-tolerant rice, maize, wheat, barley, potato,
apple, walnut, peach, various cole, amaranthus and buckwheat.
The Subalpine zone from 3,000 to 4,000 meters (9,800 to 13,100 ft) occupies 9% of Nepal's land area,
mainly in the Mountain and Himalayan regions. It has permanent settlements in the Himalaya, but further
south it is only seasonally occupied as pasture for sheep, goats, yak and hybrids in warmer months. There
are up to 229 annual days of frost here. Crops include barley, potato, cabbage, cauliflower, amaranthus,
buckwheat and apple. Medicinal plants are gathered.
The Alpine zone from 4,000 to 5,000 meters (13,100 to 16,400 ft) occupies 8% of the country's land area.
There are a few permanent settlements above 4,000 meters. There is virtually no plant cultivation although
medicinal herbs are gathered. Sheep, goats, yaks and hybrids are pastured in warmer months.
Above 5,000 meters the climate becomes Nival and there is no human habitation or even seasonal use. Arid
and semi-arid land in the rainshadow of high ranges have a Transhimalayan climate. Population density is
very low. Cultivation and
husbandry conform to
subalpine and alpine patterns
but depend on snowmelt and
streams for irrigation.
Precipitation generally
decreases from east to west
with increasing distance
from the Bay of Bengal,
source of the summer
monsoon. Eastern Nepal gets
about 2,500 mm (100 in)
annually; the Kathmandu
area about 1,400 mm (55 in)
and western Nepal about
1,000 mm (40 in). This

8
pattern is modified by adiabatic effects as rising air masses cool and drop their moisture content on windward
slopes, then warm up as they descend so relative humidity drops. Annual precipitation reaches 5,500 mm
(18 ft) on windward slopes in the Annapurna Himalaya beyond a relatively low stretch of the Mahabharat
Range. In rainshadows beyond the high mountains, annual precipitation drops as low as 160 mm (6 in).
2.1.4 SEASONS
The year is divided into a wet season from June to September—as summer warmth over Inner Asia creates
a low-pressure zone that draws in moist air from the Indian Ocean—and a dry season from October to June
as cold temperatures in the vast interior creates a high-pressure zone causing dry air to flow outward. April
and May are months of intense water stress when cumulative effects of the long dry season are exacerbated
by temperatures rising over 40 °C (104 °F) in the tropical climate belt. Seasonal drought further intensifies
in the Siwaliks hills consisting of poorly consolidated, coarse, permeable sediments that do not retain water,
so hillsides are often covered with drought-tolerant scrub forest. In fact, much of Nepal's native vegetation
adapted to withstand drought, but less so at higher elevations where cooler temperatures mean less water
stress.
The summer monsoon may be preceded by a buildup of thunderstorm activity that provides water for rice
seedbeds. Sustained rain on average arrives in mid-June as rising temperatures over Inner Asia creates a low-
pressure zone that draws in moist air from the Indian Ocean, but this can vary up to a month. Significant
failure of monsoon rains historically meant drought and famine while above-normal rains still cause flooding
and landslides with losses in human lives, farmland and buildings.
The monsoon also complicates transportation with roads and trails washing out while unpaved roads and
airstrips may become unusable and cloud cover reduces safety margins for aviation. Rains diminish in
September and generally end by mid-October, ushering in generally cool, clear, and dry weather, as well as
the most relaxed and jovial period in Nepal. By this time, the harvest is completed and people are in a festive
mood. The two biggest and most important Hindu festivals Dashain and Tihar (Dipawali) arrive during this
period, about one month apart. The post monsoon season lasts until about December.
After the post monsoon comes the winter monsoon, a strong north easterly flow marked by occasional, short
rainfalls in the lowlands and plains and snowfalls in the high-altitude areas. In this season the Himalayas
function as a barrier to cold air masses from Inner Asia, so southern Nepal and northern India have warmer
winters than would otherwise be the case. April and May are dry and hot, especially below 1,200 meters
(4,000 ft) where afternoon temperatures may exceed 40 °C (104 °F).
2.1.5 ENVIRONMENT
The dramatic changes in elevation along this transect result in a variety of biomes, from tropical savannas
along the Indian border, to subtropical broadleaf and coniferous forests in the hills, to temperate broadleaf
and coniferous forests on the slopes of the Himalaya, to montane grasslands and shrublands, and finally
rock and ice at the highest elevations. This corresponds to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion.
Subtropical forests dominate the lower elevations of the Hill Region. They form a mosaic running east-west
across Nepal, with Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests between 500 and 1,000 meters (1,600 and 3,300
ft) and Himalayan subtropical pine forests between 1,000 and 2,000 meters (3,300 and 6,600 ft). At higher
elevations, to 3,000 meters (10,000 ft), are found temperate broadleaf forests: eastern Himalayan broadleaf
forests to the east of the Gandaki River and western Himalayan broadleaf forests to the west. The native
forests of the Mountain Region change from east to west as precipitation decreases. They can be broadly
classified by their relation to the Gandaki River. From 3,000 to 4,000 meters (10,000 to 13,000 ft) are the
eastern and western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. To 5,500 meters (18,000 ft) are the eastern and
western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows.
ICIMOD’s first and most complete national land cover[16] database of Nepal prepared using public domain
Landsat TM data of 2010 shows that show that forest is the dominant form of land cover in Nepal covering

9
57,538 km2 with a contribution of 39.09% to the total geographical area of the country. Most of this forest
cover is broadleaved closed and open forest, which covers 21,200 km2 or 14.4% of the geographical area.
Needle leaved open forest is the least common of the forest areas covering 8267 km2 (5.62%). Agriculture
area is significant extending over 43,910 km2 (29.83%). As would be expected, the high mountain area is
largely covered by snow and glaciers and barren land. The Hill region constitutes the largest portion of
Nepal, covering 29.5% of the geographical area, and has a large area (19,783 km2) of cultivated or managed
lands, natural and semi natural vegetation (22,621 km2) and artificial surfaces (200 km2). The Tarai region
has more cultivated or managed land (14,104 km2) and comparatively less natural and semi natural
vegetation (4280 km2). The Tarai has only 267 km2 of natural water bodies. The High mountain region has
12,062 km2 of natural water bodies, snow/glaciers and 13,105 km2 barren areas.
2.1.6 FORESTS
25.4% of Nepal's land area, or about 36,360 km2 (14,039 sq mi) is covered with forest according to FAO
figures from 2005. FAO estimates that around 9.6% of Nepal's forest cover consists of primary forest which
is relatively intact. About 12.1% Nepal's forest is classified as protected while about 21.4% is conserved
according to FAO. About 5.1% Nepal's forests are classified as production forest. Between 2000 and 2005,
Nepal lost about 2,640 km2 (1,019 sq mi) of forest. Nepal's 2000–2005 total deforestation rate was about
1.4% per year meaning it lost an average of 530 km2 (205 sq mi) of forest annually. Nepal's total
deforestation rate from 1990 to 2000 was 920 km2 (355 sq mi) or 2.1% per year. The 2000–2005 true
deforestation rate in Nepal, defined as the loss of primary forest, is -0.4% or 70 km2 (27 sq mi) per year.
Forest is not changing in the plan land of Nepal, forest fragmenting on the Roof of the World. According
to ICIMOD figures from 2010, forest is the dominant form of land cover in Nepal covering 57,538 km2
with a contribution of 39.09% to the total geographical area of the country.[18] Most of this forest cover is
broadleaved closed and open forest, which covers 21,200 km2 or 14.4% of the geographical area.
Needleleaved open forest is the least common of the forest areas covering 8,267 km2 (5.62%). At national
level 64.8% area is covered by core forests of > 500 ha size and 23.8% forests belong to patch and edge
category forests. The patch forest constituted 748 km2 at national level, out of which 494 km2 of patch
forests are present in hill regions. Middle mountains, Siwaliks and Terai regions have more than 70% of
the forest area under core forest category > 500 ha size. The edge forests constituted around 30% of forest
area of High Mountain and Hill regions.[18] Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) which was conducted
between 2010 to 2014 by the Ministry of Forest and Soil conservation with the financial and technical help

10
of Government of Finland shows that 40.36% land of Nepal is forested. And 4.40% land have Shrubs and
bushes. Deforestation is driven by multiple processes. Virtually throughout the nation, over-harvest of
firewood remains problematic. Despite the availability of liquefied petroleum gas in towns and cities,
firewood is sold more at energy-competitive prices because cutting and selling it is a fallback when better
employment opportunities aren't forthcoming. Firewood still supplies 80% of Nepal's energy for heating
and cooking. Harvesting construction timber and lopping branches for fodder for cattle and other farm
animals are also deforestation/degradation drivers in all geographic zones
Illegal logging is a problems in the Siwaliks, with sawlogs smuggled into India. Clearing for resettlement
and agriculture expansion also causes deforestation as does urban expansion, building infrastructure such
as schools, hospitals, electric transmission lines, water tanks, police and army barracks, temples and picnic
areas.
In the Middle Hills road construction, reservoirs, transmission lines and extractive manufacturing such as
cement factories cause deforestation. In the mountains building hotels, monasteries and trekking trails cause
deforestation while timber-smuggling into the Tibet Autonomous Region and over-grazing cause
degradation.
2.1.7 ECONOMICS
Nepal is a low income country39 and is on track to achieve most of their Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) by 2015. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2013 Human Development Index
(HDI) value for Nepal is 0.463, placing them in the low human development category, and positioning them
157 out of 187 countries. In the Gender Inequality Index (GII) which reflects gender-based inequalities
(reproductive health, empowerment, and economic activity), Nepal was categorized as 102 out of 148
countries in the 2012 index. Nepal’s economic freedom score is 51.3, classifying its economy the 152nd
freest in the 2015 index. Their score has increased by 1.2 points from the prior year mostly due to
improvements in freedom from corruption. Out of the 42 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the country
ranked 34th, below the world and regional average.
The GDP in Nepal grew around 5 percent in fiscal year 2014 which is up from 3.5 percent the previous
year. Monsoon rains helped to boost agriculture by 4.7 percent and a large growth in remittance inflows
drove growth in services to 6.1 percent. For fiscal year 2015, growth is expected to slow due to
disappointing monsoons. The economy is dependent on imports of basic materials and on foreign markets
for forest and agricultural products. Nepal imports essential commodities such as fuel, construction
materials, fertilizers, and consumer goods such as rice, jute, timber and textiles. Agriculture, primarily rice,
corn and wheat accounts for half of the country’s export earnings. Productivity is low due to shortages of
fertilizers and improved seed along with ineffective techniques. Tourism in Nepal is a growing industry and
is generally confined to the Kathmandu Valley. This area is able to provide hotels, food, supplies, road and
international transportation services.
Other tourism spots include: Pokhara and the Mount Everest area. The tourism sector is a key contributor
for the country’s economic growth and provides over 750,000 jobs. In 2012, Nepal hosted almost 600,000
foreign tourists which contributed to 3 percent of the country’s GDP.

11
Kathmandu is a pupil-dilating experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to
sensory overload. Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a
rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of
Thamel, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place. The metropolitan city area is
50.67 square kilometres (19.56 sq mi) and has a population density of 3000per km² and 17000 per km
square in city. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped
Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki,
Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu Valley is part of three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and
Bhaktapur), has the highest population density in the country, and is home to about a twelfth of Nepal's
population. This endlessly fascinating, sometimes infuriating city has enough sights to keep you busy for
a week, but be sure to leave its backpacker comforts and explore the ‘real Nepal’ before your time runs
out. Fine mountain views and warm days until December, with high-season crowds. March brings the
Seto Machhendranath festival. Days can be hot in May. Hot days and frequent monsoon showers, but also
the spectacular Indra Jatra festival in June- September. The 2015 earthquake destroyed several temples in
Kathmandu's Unesco-listed Durbar Sq, but most areas emerged unscathed. Stroll through the backstreets
and Kathmandu’s timeless cultural and artistic heritage still reveals itself in hidden temples overflowing
with marigolds, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, and tiny hobbit-sized workshops.

12
Chautara is a municipality in Sindhupalchowk District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. It is now
divided to 14 wards. This is the district headquarters of the Sindhupalchowk District. The municipality
stands at the elevation of approximately 1,600 m above sea level. Religious and cultural festivities form a
major part of the lives of people residing in Chautara. There are people of various religious beliefs,
Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity as well, giving Chautara a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the most
commonly spoken language in the municipality. Likewise, Newari and other languages such as Tamang is
also spoken as the Newars and Tamangs dominate the settlement in population. Chautara is in
the Deciduous Monsoon Forest Zone, one of five vegetation zones defined for Nepal. The dominant tree
species in this zone are oak, pine, beech, maple and others, with coniferous trees at higher altitude. The
town was severely affected by the earthquake on 25 April 2015. Over ninety percent of the homes in the
town had been destroyed. The main hospital of the town had collapsed. The town suffered from water
shortages.[2] Relief workers and the Nepali army met government officials in Chautara to discuss the
emergency response to the humanitarian crisis. However, government officials have stayed out of sight
due to the anger of the residents of the town. Dozens of people crowded in front of the administrative
office in Chautara, demanding that officials deliver more tents to earthquake survivors sleeping without
shelter. The government had tents, but they were not given to the residents of the town.
Bahrabise is a city in Sindhupalchok District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. It consists of nine
wards. t is lies on Araniko Highway - the 114 km-long highway which connects the capital
city Kathmandu to the Chinese border in the north. The village was affected by the earthquake on 25
April 2015. A joint coordination committee among all political parties in the three constituencies of the
Sindhupalchok district was formed to carry out a rescue mission in the village.

13
2.2 TRANSIT
2.2.1 TRANSIT TABLE
Date Time Place Altitude Graticule
10th
March 8:45 PM College,Delhi 221 m 2840’58” N
7712’31” E
9:50 PM Jhilmil Road,DilshadGarden,
Delhi
207 m 2840’58” N
7712’29” E
11:55 PM Hotel Starlite,Gharh
Mukteshwar,U.P.
218 m 2846’55” N
7803’36” E
11th
March 7:17 AM Jhunkat,Khatima,Uttarakhand 215 m 2856’23” N
7953’53” E
9:16 AM Banbasa Canal Range 226 m 2859’45” N
8005’38” E
2:42 PM Chisapani Bank,KanrialaR.
Bank,Nepal
200 m 28.6305 N
81.2811 E
12th
March 8:06 AM Kathmandu 1359 m 2741’52” N
8516’51” E
10:50 AM Hotel Destination,Kathmandu 1341 m 27.6708 N
85.3386 E
3:15 PM Ratna Park 1311 m 2742’25” N
8518’51” E
13th
March 11 AM PashupatinathTemple
4:09 PM KFC,Bhaktapur 1328 m 2739’52” N
8525’32” E
9:44 PM Chautara
Hotel Namaste
1432 m 2746’28” N
8542’52” E

14
14th
March 12:11 PM Chaap 1421 m 27 46’ 23” N
15 43’ 01”E
3:15 PM Sanu Siruwari 1479 m 27.7586N
85.7094 E
4:25 PM Banjo Khot 1479 m 27.7715 N
85.7010 E
15th
March 1:30 PM Chekathok 27.776 N
85.710 E
16th
March 1:36 PM Tekanpur(Sunkoshi R.Bank) 27.763 N
85.874 E
3:23 PM Bahrabise 27.79 N
85.89 E
17th
March 3:30 PM Trekking 27.783 N
85.901 E
18th
March 9:52 AM Thakre,Kathmandu 778 m 27 44’ 11” N
85 07’ 46” E
12:13 PM Nalang 384 m 27 48’ 44” N
84 45’ 55” E
2:58 PM Manakamana (Trishuli R.Bank) 27.8561 N
84.5589 E
8:43 PM IndiaNepal Border,Sonauli 27.47 N
83.47 E
19th
March 10:33 AM Vrindavan,India 178 m 27 36’ 46” N
77 44’ 29” E
1:40 PM Delhi 220 m 28.6 N
77.2 E

16
2.3 DISASTER SCENARIO OF NEPAL
Nepal is facing the wrath of natural and human induced disasters with greater frequency and intensity. It is
one of the highest risk countries in the world due to various types of disasters. Disasters are so penetrative
in every Nepalese geographic and societal framework that they are constantly under threat of a multitude
of natural disasters. Nepal doesn’t face some cal amities like volcanic eruptions; otherwise all most all kinds
of disasters are prevalent in Nepal. Therefore, it is a great challenge to protect infrastructure and property
from frequent disasters such as: landslides, floods and fires. Each year flood, landslide, fire, epidemics,
avalanche and various other natural and human induced disasters lead to the casualty of thousands of human
lives and destruction of physical property worth billions of rupees. The earthquakes of 1934 A.D., 1980

17
A.D. 1988 A.D., 2015 A.D. and the flood of July, 1993 A.D., 2008 A.D., 2014 A.D. are the most devastating
disasters which not only caused heavy losses of human lives and physical properties but also adversely
affected the development process of the country as a whole. Recent time climate change due to global
warming has become a major concern and in the climate change vulnerability index Nepal is ranked as the
4th most climate vulnerable country in the world (World Bank 2011). Fire is another disaster which occurs
on a regular basis and wild
fires are damaging to already
severely depleted forests and
biodiversity of Nepal which
results in economic loss, land
degradation and
environmental pollution.
Thus, Nepal has been found
to be a disaster-prone
country. Being a developing
country, Nepal lacks strong
mechanism to widely share
the knowledge and the
information to the poor
communities. More
importantly, the vulnerable
communities and poor
people have not been able to
mitigate, prepare for,
effectively respond and
overcome the impact of
multiple hazards in various
parts of the country. Often
women, children, elderly and
disadvantaged persons
become unable to cope with
the disasters as their capability and resilience is
meagre. Therefore, it is highly necessary to build
the capacity of the vulnerable communities in order
to reduce the losses of human lives and physical
properties in the time of disasters. According to the
Ministry of Home Affairs, since 2000, each year,
an average of 329 people lost their lives due to
various disasters and property loss of more than 1
billion rupees.
2.3.1 EARTHQUAKE: TIMELINE
An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by
the sudden breaking and movement of large sections (tectonic plates) of the earth's rocky outermost crust.
The edges of the tectonic plates are marked by faults (or fractures). Most earthquakes occur along the fault
lines when the plates slide past each other or collide against each other.
The shifting masses send out shock waves that may be powerful enough to:

18
● alter the surface of the Earth, thrusting up cliffs and opening great cracks in the ground and
● cause great damage ... collapse of buildings and other man-made structures, broken power and gas
lines (and the consequent fire), landslides, snow avalanches, tsunamis (giant sea waves) and
volcanic eruptions.
Fault or fault plane = the surface where when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another
Hypocenter = the location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts
Epicenter = the location on the surface of the earth directly above the hypocenter
Earthquake Nepal’s proximity to earthquake hazards is mainly due to her young and fragile geology.
Haphazard and unplanned settlements and poor construction practice are the other reasons that have made
her highly vulnerable to earthquake impacts. Earthquake threats the entire country all the time and it is
poised for a mega disaster for which scientist are forecasting with a high probability of its occurrence
anytime anywhere in the region. Nepal may have encountered many earthquakes throughout the history;
but it has the record for the greatest loss of life since the 12th century. Even the King Abhaya Malla died in
the 1310 earthquake. Since then Nepal has encountered 16 major earthquakes, including the recent
devastating Gorkha Earthquake of 25 April 2015. This is the very recent striking example of earthquake
vulnerability of the country. The earthquake, that left a trail of miseries that the affected population will
continue to battle for years. This is, in fact, a wake-up call for policy-makers, development experts, civil
society and the general public that had not considered the existing unplanned development and uneven
resource distribution. The disaster vulnerability of the country is so serious that Kathmandu, the capital city
of Nepal, is number one among the 21 mega cities in the world from the point of view of earthquake risk.

19
The Gorkha Earthquake
Strength: 7.8 on the Richter scale.
Epicenter: Less than 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu, the country’s capital in central Nepal.
Depth: 11 km/6.8 miles. The source of the earthquake was relatively shallow, contributing to its strength and the
resulting damage.
Aftershocks: Hundreds in total; two major aftershocks of 6.6 and 6.7 magnitude, and a second 7.3 magnitude
quake on May 12.
Worst quake since: 8.2 earthquake in 1932, which killed 10,000 to 12,000 people and completely leveled
Kathmandu.
People affected: Approx 8 million
Death toll: Around 8,700, including around 150 people who were killed during the May 12 quake.
People injured: At least 22,200
Number of children who needed urgent assistance: 1.1 million
Number of people who needed humanitarian assistance: 2.8 million
Damage: Homes and historic temples crumbled, roads damaged and communications made sporadic.
Avalanches on Mt. Everest. We received reports from more remote areas that entire villages were destroyed
without a single home left standing. Water systems in hillside villages were wrecked. Terraced farms and
cattle were wiped out by the quake or subsequent landslides, destroying people's entire livelihoods.
Number of homes destroyed: More than 505,000
Number of homes damaged: More than 279,000
Areas affected: 40 percent of Nepal. 39 out of 75 districts reported damage. Deaths were also reported in
neighboring Tibet and India.
Most affected areas: Gorkha, Lamjung and Sindhupalchok as well as Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur
Districts.
2.3.2 CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKE
Earthquake of Nepal and India along the Himalayan belt were caused mainly due to collision of Indian plate
and Eurasian plate. Deep focus and high magnitudes of earthquakes are caused along the convergent plate
boundaries because of collision of two convergent plates, namely Eurasian and Indian convergent plates.
The subduction of Indian plate below Eurasian plate caused Nepal earthquake at the belt of Himalaya. April
25 and May 12, 2015 earthquakes had occurred on the northern boundary of the Indian plate which is under
thrusting the Eurasian plate. The main cause of Nepal earthquakes is attributed to the northward movement
of Indian plate. The Indian plate is moving toward north- northeast ward direction at an average rate of
about 4.5-5 cm per annum, which causes a stress. On 25th April 2015, the stress built up as the Indian and
Eurasian plates slide under one other causing earthquake. The epicentre of these two earthquakes has lay
on the boundary of these two plates. The earth quake was caused at the depth of 10 kilometres. The 188
aftershocks measuring around 3.0-6.9 magnitudes in Richter scale were at the depths of 10-50 kilometres.
After the major earthquake, the earth‟s plates lost their equilibrium. The aftershocks are basically nature‟s
way to help earth get back its equilibrium.
The Gorkha earthquake (Nepal, 2015, Mw 7.9) triggered many landslides. The most catastrophic mass
movement was a debris avalanche that buried several villages in the Langtang valley. In this study, questions
are raised about its volume and initiation. I investigate the possibility of high-resolution digital surface
models computed from tri-stereo SPOT6/7 images to resolve this issue. This high-resolution dataset enables
me to derive an inventory of 160 landslides triggered by this earthquake. I analyze the source of errors and
estimate the uncertainties in the landslide volumes. The vegetation prevents to correctly estimate the
volumes of landslides that occured in vegetated areas. However, I evaluate the volume and thickness of 73
landslides developing in vegetated-free areas, showing a power law between their surface areas and volumes

20
with exponent of 1.20. Accumulations and depletion volumes are also well constrained for larger landslides,
and I find that the main debris avalanches accumulated 6.95 × 106 m3 of deposits in the valley with
thicknesses reaching 60 m, and 9.66 × 106 m3 in the glaciated part above 5000 m asl. The large amount of
sediments is explained by an initiation of the debris avalanche due to serac falls and snow avalanches from
five separate places between 6800 and 7200 m asl over 3 km length.
Almost a year after the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, a new international report said a
staggering 4,312 landslides were triggered by the temblor and its aftershocks. It said the major destruction
by the landslides was of newly-developed settlements, and that the total loss and damage was estimated at
$7 billion. The report “Impact of Nepal’s 2015 Gorkha Earthquake-Induced Geohazards” said the lives of
eight million people, almost one-third of Nepal’s population, were impacted. But the damage due to
landslides and glacier lake floods was less than anticipated, it added. Supported by Skoll Global Threats
Fund, the Kathmandu-headquartered International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
(ICIMOD), along with scientists from the US, Europe and the region prepared the report by mapping the
landslides using satellite images, aerial surveys and field visits. In Nepal, home to more than one-third of
the Himalayan range, the damage by the quake was devastating, compared to the Tibet Autonomous Region
in China or India and Bangladesh. Within Nepal, more than 8,800 people died, 22,000 were injured and
100,000 displaced. The earthquake on April 25, 2015, pushed an additional 2.5 to 3.5 percent of the
Nepalese population into poverty in 2015-16, the researchers wrote in their 36-page report that aims to
improve the management of geohazards.
Scientists have discovered that there was major destruction to the newly-developed human settlements
compared to older ones. These settlements were along the Pasang Lamu highway in the Trishuli valley and
Kodari highway in the Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi valleys. Tatopani village, bordering China, too was hit by
rock falls. According to the report, the temblor induced two disastrous avalanches -- one in Langtang valley
and another at the Mount Everest base camp. The most destructive and probably the largest landslide
triggered was a massive one initiated nearly 7,000 metres above mean sea level which completely buried
Langtang village. The Mount Everest base camp was also hit by an earthquake-induced ice avalanche, even
though the shaking at this point was light. The collapsing icy mass swept away a part of the Everest base
camp and claimed 22 lives. It was the worst single day in the history of Everest and occurred a year after the
previous worst day in the mountain’s history on April 18, 2014, when ice avalanches hit the Everest climbin g
route over the Khumbu glacier, killing 16 people, the researchers wrote. The indication is that ice on the
mountain was ready to collapse. Springtime melting triggered the collapse in 2014 and probably conditioned
the ice for collapse in 2015 so that only a light shaking was needed to break it loose, they said. The saving
grace is that the earthquake did not cause floods from the outburst of glacial lakes. “This was both fortunate
and surprising. The good news, however, does not necessarily indicate that future earthquakes will have a
similarly low impact as they could strike closer to and more directly beneath the glacial lakes,” said the
researchers.
They warned that many of the landslides and landslide dams and possibly the increased instability of glacial
lakes have the potential to lead to a chain of hazards in the future. The situation of Himalayan glacial lakes
needs to be observed carefully in China, India and Nepal to confirm the preliminary conclusions that the risk
of floods from the outburst of glacial lakes has not been visibly heightened by the earthquake, says the report.
“After the earthquake we joined hands with regional and international experts to map the positions of
landslides and debris flows. We undertook several studies to assess its impact,” ICIMOD director general
David J. Molden said.
Thousands of people have fled to safety following a landslide in western Nepal which blocked the flow of
a river. The Kali Gandaki River in Myagdi district, about 140km (90 miles) north-west of the capital,
Kathmandu, has created a deep and growing new lake. There are no reports of casualties. Army soldiers are

21
being sent to help. A number of landslides have hit Nepal since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on 25 April
which killed more than 8,000 people and injured many more. The landslide around midnight on Sunday
(19:00 GMT on Saturday) has caused water levels to rise by about 200m (600ft). "We have asked villagers
along the riverside in these districts to move to safer places," interior ministry official Laxmi Prasad Dhakal
told Reuters news agency. One of Nepal's largest hydroelectric power plants in the area could be at risk,
officials have warned. Army helicopter were surveying the area with troops being sent to siphon off the
water from the fast-growing lake. Authorities say large areas could be at risk of flooding if the collected
waters burst. Kaligandaki River flows into India where it eventually joins the Ganges. “While the landslides
are not as severe as we initially feared, they caused a lot of damage to the landscape that is prone to future
failures,” says Alexander Densmore, who studies landslides at Durham University, UK. During this year’s
monsoon season, from June to September, landslides occurred ten times more frequently than normal, he
says. (The analysis by Kargel's team does not cover the time of the monsoon; the researchers looked at
satellite images taken up to mid-June, before the rains began). Hovius estimates that slopes will continue to
fail at a heightened rate for some four to five years because of the Gorkha quake.
Historically, landslides after earthquakes have drastically reshaped the geography of Nepal. The country’s
second-largest city, Pokhara, is built on between 4 billion and 5 billion cubic metres of debris from
landslides triggered by three medieval earthquakes, each greater than magnitude 8, according to an analysis
in a separate paper published today in Science by a team led by geomorphologist Wolfgang Schwanghart
of the University of Potsdam.
2.3.3 IMPACT
Among the worst-hit districts was Sindhupalchok - where more than 2,000 died. In the capital, Kathmandu,
more than 1,000 perished. Thousands more were badly injured by falling debris caused by the quake or
powerful aftershocks that rocked the region. Mount Everest was also struck by deadly avalanches after the
quake on 25 April. Since then, people are living in makeshift camps around Kathmandu, having been made
homeless by the quake or because they are too afraid to stay inside. come have tried to leave the capital
amid fears of further aftershocks. Many of the country's historic sites have been severely damaged,
including temples and monuments. Analysis of satellite imagery captured before and after the devastating
quake reveals that more than 180 buildings in the densely populated city centre were destroyed. At least
four out of seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley - three of them ancient city
squares - were badly affected.
Here are five districts with most deaths:
District Number of deaths
Sindhupalchok 2071
Kathmandu 1144
Nuwakot 759
Dhading 636
Gorkha 410
Here are districts with most number of public
houses damaged:
District
Number of public’s houses
damaged (partially)
Dolakha 35000
Kathmandu 20300
Kavrepalanchok 18545
Here are five districts
with most injured:
District
Number of
injured
Kathmandu 4634
Bhaktapur 1885
Kavrepalanchok 1394
Nuwakot 1300
Lalitpur 1090

22
Nuwakot 15000
Tanahu 12927
As of 3 June (11:30, UTC+5:45), the Government reported a total of 505,745 houses destroyed and 279,330
damaged by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 25 April and the 7.3 quake on 12 May. The earthquakes killed
8,702
people (4,801 female; 3,899 male; 2 bodies remain unidentified) and injured thousands of people.

23
An estimated 2.8 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance. Reaching some 864,000 people
in hard to reach areas who have lost their homes and live below the poverty line is a priority. With the
impending monsoon rains expected to further isolate remote villages, district authorities and humanitarian
partners continue to prioritize distribution of shelter materials in the northern-most Village Development
Committees (VDCs).
To date, some 762,000 people have received emergency shelter and non-food items (or about 40 per cent
of the

24
Shelter Cluster targets; refer to the Humanitarian Dashboard for a visual overview of progress towards
meeting needs across other clusters).
On 29 May, the Humanitarian Country Team revised the Nepal Flash Appeal seeking $422 million to ensure
that life-saving assistance continue to reach people affected by the earthquakes.
The appeal duration was extended from three to five months to take into account the effects of the monsoon
on the emergency phase and to ensure linkage with the recovery and rehabilitation programme of the
Government of Nepal.
Partners are concerned that there may not be sufficient capacity in Gorkha District to distribute all relief
items before the monsoon, particularly into those areas accessible only by helicopters.
On 2 June, a helicopter delivering humanitarian relief and carrying four medical aid workers crashed in
Sindhupalchowk District. This is the second air incident since the beginning of the relief operations.
There is limited fuel supply in Sinduphalchowk. Local authorities have requested support for
additional fuel. Airlift capacity in the district will also be reduced with the departure of multinational security
forces.
With reports received of possible relocation of villages and continuing internal migration as a result of the
earthquake and potentially by the monsoon, humanitarian partners have expressed the need to ensure that
protection monitoring mechanisms are in place. Temporary relocation and encampment is the least
preferred option and should only be considered if it is necessary for immediate life-saving purposes.
A Post Disaster Needs Assessment is ongoing supported by the European Union, the United Nations and
the World Bank. The Government of Nepal will convene a donors conference on post-earthquake
reconstruction and rehabilitation in Kathmandu around the end of June. The United Nations, which
estimates 6.6 million people live in the districts affected by the earthquake, is helping to co-ordinate rescue
efforts. Many have been left homeless by the disaster and the country is already reported to be running out
of water and food. There are also frequent power cuts. The British organisation, Search and Rescue
Assistance in Disasters (SARAID) has sent a team of experts with 1.5 tonnes of specialist equipment. This
includes an electrical power generator and power tools for cutting through concrete and steel. They also
have their own tents and food supplies, so they will not be a drain on local resources. India and China are
among the other countries to send teams of rescuers.
The economic effect of the earthquake in Nepal
Economists have long considered Nepal to be vulnerable to a natural disaster such as this. There is no doubt
that in Nepal, outgoings are far greater than income. This this devastating earthquake did not only cause
GDP to slump, but also caused physical damage equivalent to one third of GDP. Overall economic growth
in FY 2014/15, which had previously been estimated to hit 6%, was confined to just 3%. The tourism
industry, one of the major pillars of the Nepalese economy, also experienced great losses following the
earthquake. Four out of seven world heritage sites were destroyed. The tourism sector accounts for 7% of
jobs in Nepal and for 8% of the economy overall. However, it is now unclear when the tourism industry
will pick up again. According to Post Disaster Needs Assessment {PDNA) estimates, the cumulati ve
damage and loss amount to 33.3% of GDP (USD 7.1 billion) and the cumulative need for recovery is
estimated to be USD 6.7 billion (31.5% of GDP). Of the total estimated recovery needs, about 50% is for
rebuilding private housing and settlements. Manufacturing and infrastructure clusters need 17.3% and
11.1% respectively. These amount to roughly 5.5% and 3.5% of GDP respectively. The recovery needs
requirement for agriculture, education, electricity, and transport is estimated at USD 156 million, USD 397
million, USD 186 million and USD 282 million respectively. Furthermore, recovery of the tourism sector

25
and restoration of cultural heritage sites are estimated to total USD 387 million and USD 206 million
respectively.
Infrastructure Effects
The earthquakes caused widespread damaged to transportation infrastructures, which, in Nepal, mainly
comprise roads. Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s only international airport, near Kathmandu, only
closed briefly following both earthquakes and some of the larger aftershocks. The runway sustained cracks
but was able to be almost fully utilized. On May 3, it closed its runway to all large cargo flights as repairs
were required to be carried out on the runway as the damage worsened in the immediate aftermath of the
first earthquake due to the increased number of planes bringing aid and relief workers into the country. The
road and highway network across Nepal was heavily impacted, with more than 2,000 kilometers (1,242
Destruction of physical infrastructure Number of units
Houses completely destroyed 191,909
Houses partially damaged 174,092
Temples/schools completely destroyed
(Including government properties)
3,204
Temples/schools partially damaged 1,375
TOTAL 370,580

26
miles) – or 13 percent of the network – damaged or destroyed. Worst affected were the districts of
Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, and Nuwakot. The severe cracking and debris-covered roadways made it very
challenging for relief and rescue teams to initially reach some of the hardest-hit remote areas. Nepal’s
Department of Roads indicates that the country has 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) of “strategic roads”,
which includes 21 highways and 208 feeder roads
Educational
A total of 8,308 schools – or 42 percent – of Nepal’s schools were affected by the earthquakes. This resulted
in 47,557 of the country’s 216,810 classrooms being damaged or destroyed. The specific breakdown
included: 19,708 classrooms being destroyed (9.1 percent), 11,046 classrooms sustaining major damage
(5.1 percent), and 16,803 classrooms sustaining minor damage (7.8 percent). The worst affected districts
were Sindhupalchowk, Lalitpur, Dolakha, and Gorkha. In Sindhupalchowk, 98 percent of all schools were
damaged or destroyed, and 99 percent of all classrooms were impacted. A total of 546 schools and 76,422
students were affected. In Lalitpur, a total of 31,822 students and 189 schools were affected. Almost one-
third of classrooms were destroyed or partially damaged while 100 of the unaffected schools were used as
emergency shelters. In Dolakha, more than two-thirds of classrooms at 362 schools were destroyed or
sustained major damage while 522 schools that were unaffected by the earthquakes were used as shelters.
In Gorkha, only 7 percent of classrooms withstood the earthquakes with no damage while more than 85
percent of classrooms were completely destroyed. Approximately 68,210 students and 475 schools were
affected.
Medical
Throughout Nepal, a total of 963 public health facilities were destroyed (503) or damaged (460) during the
earthquakes. Among the damaged facilities were 374 health posts, 12 primary health care (PHC) centers,
and six hospitals. An additional 130 birthing centers were also destroyed. A further 531 public health
facilities and 102 birthing centers were partially damaged.
Commercial Effects
Tourism Several important historical buildings collapsed or sustained severe damage in Kathmandu and in
the surrounding area including monuments that comprised the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) cultural heritage site of the Kathmandu Valley. According to
UNESCO, more than 30 monuments in the Kathmandu Valley collapsed, and an additional 120 incurred
partial damage. Nationwide, more than 1,000 monasteries, temples, historic houses, and shrines were
damaged or destroyed. The total repair cost was estimated at USD160 million, but the indirect economic
cost from loss of tourism was significantly higher. The Kathmandu Valley UNESCO site comprised seven
monument zones in Kathmandu and the nearby towns of Bhaktapur and Changunarayan: the Durbar
Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan, and Bhaktapur; the Buddhist stupas of Swayanbhu and
Bauddhanath; and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Following the first earthquake,
UNESCO quickly announced that three of those monument zones - the Durbar Squares at Kathmandu,
Patan, and Bhaktapur - were almost fully destroyed as they suffered “extensive and irreversible damage”.
Some buildings in the affected monument zones dated back to the 15th century. Several of the monuments
in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square collapsed following the earthquakes, including: Maju Dega Temple,
Trailokyamohan Narayan Temple, Kamdev Temple, Kasthamandap, Narayan Vishnu Temple,
Radhakrishna Temple, and Kakeshwar Temple. Several other monuments sustained damage, including:
Gaddi Durbar Palace (Gaddi Baithak), Nau Talle Durbar (Basantabur Durbar), Great (Old) Drums,
Mahadev Parvati (Shiva Parvati) Temple, and Kumari Ghar. Despite the great losses however, a surprising
number of the ancient monuments withstood the tremors and are still standing today. At Patan Durbar
Square two temples were destroyed (Char Narayan and Hari Shankar), two paatis were destroyed, and many
temples were damaged including Kumbeshwar Temple Complex (the main temple is now tilted),

27
Vishwanath Temple, and Bhimsen Mandir. Bhaktapur Durbar Square suffered extensive damage during the
1934 earthquake in Nepal, and as a result, the buildings were much more widely spaced than at Hanuman
Dhoka and Patan Durbar Squares at the time of the 2015 earthquakes. Subsequently, there was less damage
reported at Bhaktapur: Vatsala Devi (Vatsala Durga) Temple and Fasidega Temple were destroyed but other
monuments only sustained minor damage. Of the other monuments listed as part of the Kathmandu Valley
UNESCO Heritage Site the Buddhist stupa of Bauddhanath was largely destroyed, the stupa of Swayanbhu
(Monkey Temple) and the Hindu temple of Changu Narayan sustained some damage, while the Pashupati
Hindu Temple survived the earthquake unscathed. Nau Talle Durbar, Right: before, Left: after (Source:
ICIMOD) Kal Mochan Ghat, Top: before, Bottom: after (Source: ICIMOD) Aon Benfield Analy tics |
Impact Forecasting 2015 Nepal Earthquake Event Recap Report 14 Also destroyed in Kathmandu was the
nine-story Dharahara (Bhimsen) Tower that once stood more than 60 meters (200 feet) tall. The tower was
originally built in 1832 and had a viewing deck on the eighth floor. It was reconstructed following the
earthquake that struck Kathmandu in 1934. Other specific damage sites included the Manakamana Temple
in Gorkha and the northern side of Janaki Mandir. In Gaushala, the top of the Jay Bageshwori Temple and
some portions of the Ratna Mandir and Rani Pokhari were destroyed. The Machhindranath Temple in the
town of Bungmati was also destroyed. In Tripureshwor, the Kal Mochan Ghat was completely destroyed
and the nearby Tripura Sundari also suffered significant damage. Agriculture According to data from the
World Bank, agriculture contributes approximately one-third to Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product. It is the
largest employment sector for around two-thirds of the population with the majority of Nepalese households
relying on income from agricultural activities as their primary livelihood. Prior to the earthquakes,
approximately 50 percent of agricultural households kept cattle, 38 percent kept at least one buffalo, 52
percent kept goats or sheep, 44 percent kept poultry (ducks and/or fowl), and 10 percent kept pigs. Given
these numbers, it is evident therefore, that any loss of livestock or poultry would have detrimental effects
on a large proportion of the population. In the fourteen worst affected districts at least 58,832 heads of
livestock, including cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, and pigs, were killed. In Nuwakot alone, 7,662 heads of
livestock perished, while in Kavrepalanchowk, the number was 6,987. The number of poultry lost in the
fourteen worst affected districts totaled 629,362. Lalitpur lost the highest number of poultry at 88,829 while
Sindhuli was a close second with 88,228 poultry killed. Nepal’s Ministry of Agricultural Development
estimated that losses of livestock and poultry resulted in an economic loss of NPR14 billion (USD135
million). In addition to livestock and poultry losses, large stocks of food were also lost as result of the
earthquakes. In the fourteen worst impacted districts 91,679 metric tons of food stocks were destroyed.
Worst affected was Kathmandu, where 13,606 metric tons of food were lost, followed by Kavrepalanchowk,
where 10,749 metric tons of food were destroyed. Industry Brick production is one of the major small
industries in Nepal and prior to the earthquakes there were approximately 100 brick kilns estimated to be
operating in the Kathmandu Valley: fifteen in Kathmandu, 32 in Lalitpur, and 62 in Bhaktapur. Of all the
small scale industries operating in Nepal, brick production was probably worst hit by the earthquakes: all
fifteen of Kathmandu’s and 32 of Lalitpur’s kilns were damaged. There was no information available
pertaining to damage sustained to the industry in Bhaktapur. However, it could also be the industry which
stands to gain most in the aftermath of the earthquakes as hundreds of thousands of buildings throughout
the country are likely to be rebuilt.
Utility Effects Nepal’s state utility provider, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reported that 16
hydropower facilities – out of 23 that were operational – were significantly damaged (one of which was
under construction at the time of the temblor). Only three of those affected remained operational in the
aftermath of the first earthquake. The affected facilities were Upper Bhotekoshi, Sunkoshi Khola,
Indrawati-III, Chaku Khola, Baramchi Khola, Middle Chaku, Sipring Khola, Ankhu Khola-I, Mailung
Khola, Bhairab Kunda, Trishuli, Devighat, Sunkoshi, Kulekhani, Chilime, and Upper Trishuli 3A (under
construction). Collectively, the shutdowns resulted in a loss of 150 megawatts from Nepal’s power grid
which represents approximately one-fifth of the country’s total power supply. (Approximately 93 percent

28
of Nepal’s power is generated by hydropower facilities.) This loss of power supply had large impacts for
Nepal which was already vastly underpowered prior to the earthquake; power outages for up to 16 hours
per day were a reality for many, even in larger urban areas, such as Kathmandu. The NEA, at the time of
the April event, distributed 564 megawatts of electricity, of which 210 megawatts were imported from India.
Additionally, hundreds of Micro Hydropower (MH) plants were damaged. These are hydropower facilities
built and run by communities with installed capacities between 10 kilowatts and 100 kilowatts. They are
usually used to provide power for lighting, agro-processing (for example, grinding, hulling, and milling
processes), radio, televisions, and computers. Two hundred and thirty-nine of these MH facilities were
damaged affecting 60,713 households in Nepal. Dhading, Gorkha, and Okhaldhunga districts were worst
affected by damage to MH facilities.
Impacts on Forests and Biodiversity
The earthquake damaged forest resources in 31 districts. The losses that occurred in 14 most affected
districts are valued at Rs. 63.9 billion. According to an assessment made by the Post Disaster Needs
Assessment (PDNA) team, mainly pine forests and sub-temperate types of forests were highly affected.
Major forest losses occurred in the Langtang Valley and the Manaslu Conservation Area in central Nepal.
The forest areas in the quake-affected districts are likely to face human pressure and subsequent
deforestation as timber and other forests resources will be in high demand to rebuild homes.
After the decimation of local species of plants by the earthquake, there is great risk of colonisation by
invasive ones. Local vegetation regeneration and reforestation take a long time, and selection of appropriate
species that conserve the soil are important.
Seven protected areas, namely Sagarmatha National Park, Makalu Barun NP, Langtang NP, Shivapuri-
Nagarjun NP, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Manaslu CA and Annapurna CA were affected by the
earthquake. Gosaikunda and Gokyo lakes were also affected. These protected areas are home to some
wildlife species of global significance such as the red panda, musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Their important
habitats like the blue pine forest, temperate oak forest, sub-alpine forest and birch forest were damaged in
Langtang National Park.
Quake-triggered landslides have damaged wildlife habitats and restricted the free movement of animals.
Breeding of wild animals and birds is also suspected to be adversely affected. For instance, the landslides
and avalanches may have destroyed the habitats of bird species nesting and living on cliffs.
The environment ministry’s assessment report says that loss or damage to the existing ecosystem and their
services is likely to affect the livelihood, food security, health and safety of the local people. Availability
of biological resources plays an essential role in Nepal in addressing poverty, hunger and food security in
the rural areas. Loss of medicinal and edible herbs may already have affected the traditional healing system
and food supply. Losses may amount to millions to individuals and the government in terms of revenue,
when the collection of the high value Himalayan herb, Yarsaguba, is affected.
Loss of water resources due to landslides triggered by the quake may have created a critical problem in
some villages. This adds to the woes of already drying water sources because of climate change. This
problem can be the cause of internal migration in many places. Water shortage has become more severe as
earthquake-affected districts saw very scanty rainfall last monsoon season. Acute food shortage is also
likely in these districts as plantation of the main cereal crop, paddy, was badly affected.
The impact on eco-tourism is no less as nature-based tourism contributes significant revenue to the national
economy. Many lodges and home-stay buildings were destroyed in the earthquake. The calamity severely
affected around 13.5 per cent of the trekking trails with greatest damage occurring in Langtang National
Park. “The March-May tourist season was cut short by the earthquake, when many tourists left early or
cancelled their trips,” the assessment report says. Reconstruction of tourism infrastructure and recovery of
service capacity is urgently needed in order to contribute to the national economy, the report suggests.
According to the environmental assessment report, the watersheds in the Koshi and Gandaki river basins
were adversely affected by the earthquake. A number of landslides and cracks had occurred in the catchment

29
tributaries of these rivers. More landslides are expected in the upcoming monsoon season when the cracks
and crevasses receive floods of water, and weakened soil and rocks lose stability. The chain effect will
move beyond the areas directly affected by the quake as floods and erosion will affect the communities,
wildlife, forests and agricultural land in the downstream areas.
The report says that rhinos and tigers in Chitwan National Park and Arna (wild buffaloes) in the Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve will be affected.
Secondary Effects
Secondary effects such as landslide, surface rupture, and soil settlement were significant. Liquefaction was
observed in the Kathmandu Valley during the 1934 earthquake, and large parts of the region are susceptible
(Piya 2004). During the 2015 earthquakes, liquefaction was also reported in several parts of Nepal (Aydan
and Ulusay, 2015). Topography was the primary reason for failure of several structures in the Kathmandu
Valley and beyond: buildings located on slopes sustained heavy damage. The anomalous features (long-
period and longer duration) of ground motion due to the geological structure of the Kathmandu Basin played
a critical role in the damage of tall structures.
IMPACT OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA
Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were the worst affected parts of India. The tremors were felt the
strongest in the districts along the Indo-Nepal border, which lie in the seismic zone V (very high seismic
zone). Mud wall, buildings and boundary walls in different locations of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri had
collapsed because of the tremors. At least 52 people were killed and 237 were injured in India in a powerful
earthquake, with epicentre in Nepal, which destroyed or damaged several houses and buildings in Bihar,
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and surrounding area. According to Union Home Ministry, 38 people died in
Bihar, 11 in Uttar Pradesh and 3 in West Bengal, where 43 school children were injured. The majority of
the deaths were reported from the northern districts bordering Nepal. According to Bihar Disaster
Management Department report, 8 people died in East Champaran district, 6 in Sitamarchi and other 24
deaths had been reported from Darbhanga, Supual, Saran, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, West Champaran,
Araria and Sheohar districts. Huge damage was caused to the property and the lives of the people in north
India.
2.3.4 WHO IS HELPING NEPAL?
From near and far, countries around the world are mobilising to respond to the devastating earthquake. The
foreign aid of 205.89 billion was expected to receive for the construction in the aftermath of earthquake.
The Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Air Force and Indian Army Medical Corps
were the first foreign contingents to land in Kathmandu within hours of the disaster to help launch relief
operations. Over time, 134 international SAR teams from 34 countries responded to Nepal’s request for
help.
Emergency relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected population was provided with the active
support and contribution of over 60 countries as well as the United Nations and other international agencies.
A UN flash appeal for support was launched on 29 April 2015 which hoped to raise a sum of USD 422
million to meet critical humanitarian needs. To date, USD 129.1 million, or 31%, of the appeal has been
raised. Donors such as UNCF, USAID, EU, ADB, United Mission to Nepal, Save the Children, Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation, Government of Australia and the World Food Program are
among the most significant donors to Nepal.

30
2.3.5 RESPONSE
In those first few days following the earthquake, the first responders were members of local communities,
along with Nepalis from across the country. Neighbours pulled neighbours out of the rubble. People shared
their scarce resources with those in need. The youth of Nepal mobilized to collect relief items and travelled
long distances across difficult terrain to help their fellow citizens recover. Local non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) used their extensive networks to provide critical information to the military and
humanitarian actors. They deployed volunteers on foot, carrying supplies on their backs to the most remote
areas, places helicopters and vehicles could not reach.
With help from the United Nations, the Government of Nepal, thousands of volunteers and over 450
humanitarian agencies responded to deliver critical life-saving aid to affected communities. The United
Nations, donors, international NGOs and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies immediately mobilized resources and reprogrammed activities. On 29 April, the Humanitarian
Country Team launched the Nepal Earthquake Flash Appeal to provide protection and relief to 2.8 million
people. Under the Flash Appeal, from April to September 2015, humanitarian assistance reached 3.7 million
people.
Immediately after the earthquake, although there was chaos, confusion and distress -- National Emergency
Operation Centre (NEOC) at the Ministry of Home Affairs was activated at level-IV by following the
National Disaster Response Framework, 2014 and Standard Operating Procedure (SoP). Soon after the
quake the Prime Minster, Home Minister, other Ministers, Chief Secretary, Secretaries, high level officials
and the Chief of security forces were present at the NEOC. Within two hours, the CNDRC meeting was
held and made necessary decisions for immediate relief and response. Soon after, the cabinet meeting
endorsed the decisions of CNDRC including declaration of catastrophic area and appealed for international
assistance. Central Command Post was established under the leadership of Home Secretary. Security forces
were mobilized immediately for Search and Rescue (SAR) operation with heavy equipment and helicopters.
Helicopters were used in remote areas for SAR operation from Nepal Army, SAR teams from India, China,
U.S.A. and private sector. Altogether 66,069 Nepal Army personnel, 41,776 Nepal Police, 24,775 Armed
Police Force and 22,500 Civil Servants were mobilized for response. In total 7,606 people were rescued by
4,299 flights of Nepal Army,
foreign and private sector
helicopters. A total of 12,295
people were rescued by air lift
and land routes. (1 month report
of MoHA on 26 May 2015) A
number of volunteer groups, local
people, youths, civil societies,
media and political parties
provided significant assistance to
the affected people during the
response. Several International
and local NGOs, Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies and
United Nations Organizations
supported from the beginning of the response. There has also been a considerable amount of aid distributed
by various social organizations, private and corporates. This includes skilled technical personnel such as
doctors, nurses, engineers as well as unskilled personnel and in-kind contributions. Despite the lack of
sufficient search and rescue equipment and resources, security forces played a significant role in search and
rescue and relief works.

31
2.3.6 CHALLENGES AND GAPS
It still takes some more time to assess the sectorial impacts and psychosocial consequences of the 2015
Gorkha Earthquake. The nightmare and traumatic situation inflicted by the disaster upon many people
particularly among the children and adolescents are still there and may remain for a prolonged time. On the
other hand, there will be several issues in the short, medium and long-term recovery process at the aftermath
of the disaster. There will be several other related issues, which needs to be addressed at different stages of
the recovery process. This includes coordination; information; collaboration; volunteer management;
temporary shelter; relocation versus in-situ reconstruction and people’s resilience etc. The following
challenges and gaps were identified after the earthquake:
 Search and Rescue (SAR) works carried out by the security personnel of Nepal and foreign SAR
teams was commendable. But it was slow and inadequate while they failed to reach in due time in
the remote, rural and hilly areas. Also it was not well-organized.
 Delay and serious lapse in damage and need assessment was felt all the time. Although there was
high number of international SAR team they could not contribute considerably as expected. There
were 4,521 team members from 34 countries and they were able to save 16 lives with the help of
Nepalese security personnel. 20 Nepal Disaster Report 2015 20 Nepal Disaster Report 2015 Nepal
Disaster Report 2015 21 The cost incurred for the foreign team was quite huge. So it can be assessed
that the return was quite low in comparison to the investment upon the foreign team.
 Even after the response phase, some International Search and Rescue Teams remained unnecessarily
for a prolonged time causing burden to the national response system.
 Emergency warehouses, prepositioning of relief materials with proper inventory were also lacking.
 Debris management was found as one of the big problem basically because of the lack of debris
management equipment, tools and techniques.
 Open spaces for temporary settlement of the displaced population were lacking.
 Initially, there was a gap between the need of the affected people and delivery of services.
 Weak database, absence of modern technology and lack of SAR equipment were other bottlenecks
for response.
2.3.7 RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION STATUS
The FY2016 budget is primarily focused on rehabilitation and reconstruction of physical and social
infrastructure, housing and livelihoods after the catastrophic earthquake. Reconstruction work is scheduled
to be completed within the next five years. This is the most prominent item on the agenda. In order to
promptly complete reconstruction work in a sustainable, long-lasting and timely manner, in addition to
promoting national interests and providing social justice by resettling displaced people and families, the
Legislature-Parliament has passed an act which deals with the reconstruction of earthquake-affected
infrastructures and established a National Reconstruction Authority, a national body that has extraordinary
jurisdiction. The NRA has already prepared a recovery framework on post-earthquake reconstruction in line
with the Post Disaster Needs Assessment. It aims to complete reconstruction work which follows a plan
expected to be implemented as soon as possible. The committee has also approved INR 290 million for
administrative expenditure in the expanded organisational structure. The NRA has also authorised a central
project implementation under a local development ministry to distribute a relief fund amounting to USD
2.49 million. This will help conduct the relief operation based in Singati, which is in Dolakha district.

32
CHAPTER III
OBJECTIVES
The world is an ever-changing place, and sometimes the changes are not for the better. Things like natural
disasters, riots and coups can appear quite suddenly and have wide-ranging consequences for the people
they affect. The impacts of such events are often dramatically worse in the developing world, where
security forces are less capable and there is less infrastructure to aid in responding to a crisis or restore
order in its wake.
 Identify the locations of the occurrence of the disaster.
 Evaluate the effect of the disaster to life and property.
 Find out about the level of awareness of the local people regarding the disaster.
 Assess the role of Governmental as well as non-governmental institutions in helping the
persecuted in rehabilitation.
METHODOLOGY
 Questionnaire
 Observation
 Secondary Data sources
To study the social aspects of our assigned areas –Sindhupal Chowk, Nepal. A variety of methods were
used such as space survey, questionnaires, interviews, direct observation. We conducted a fire evacuation
plan assessment in the college to get acquainted with the emergency disaster scenario. Space survey was
conducted by preparing transact maps of the whole journey. GPS technology was used and the android
applications helped us in noting down the latitudes, longitudes and altitude of various locations with the
nearest possible accuracy. A questionnaire was prepared which covered questions related to the policies
concerned, socio-economic, general, political interests of the sample and the institutional initiatives
regarding disaster management. Personal interviews were conducted among people belonging to different
age groups and occupational backgrounds to get an insight about their experiences and awareness regarding
disaster management aspects. Subsequently the questionnaires were filled, sometimes by the respondents
themselves. The filled questionnaires were then grouped according to the localities, analysed and
interpreted. Another method used to collect information regarding our theme was through direct
observation. Sign boards, posters and notices were studied. Photographs of our observations were clicked
and videos were made. Additional data was collected from the official website of Nepal Government and
through other research articles related to our field of study. A literature review was prepared further so as
to facilitate easy access to necessary information.
So, these were the methods which were used for getting better results in the following pages we will study
the analysis work of our gathered data. We shall come to know very interesting figures about Nepal, its
society and techniques of disaster management practiced by them.
SOFTWARES USED:
1. Quantam GIS (QGIS)
2. Arc GIS
3. MS Office
4. Google apps

33
CHAPTER IV
LITERATURE REVIEW
S.N
o.
Year of
Publicatio
n
Author Title of the
Paper/Article/
Doc
Source Findings
1. May 8-14,
2015
Bhrikuti
Rai
Sindhupalchok’
s sorrow
http://nepalitimes.co
m/article/nation/sind
hupalchok-losing-
hope%20,2224
-Sindhupalchok worst hit
district, with almost half of
the official casualties.
-Sanga Chok one of the worst
hit areas in the district.
-The situation in the remote
VDCs of Sindhupalchok
remains dire with people still
trapped under the debris in
many places.
2. May 12,
2015
Jason
Burke,
Ishwar
Rauniyar a
nd Damie
Gayle in
London
Nepal rocked by
7.3-magnitude
earthquake near
Mount Everest
https://www.theguar
dian.com/world/201
5/may/12/nepal-hit-
by-second-huge-
earthquake
-Second quake strikes country
still recovering from disaster
which killed more than 8,000
people.
- Sindhupalchok suffered the
heaviest death toll in last
month’s quake.
-Quake had a magnitude of
7.3 and struck 42 miles
(68km) west of the town of
Namche Bazaar, close to
Mount Everest.
- It was about a fifth as strong
as April’s 7.8 quake.

34
3. Feb 06,
2018
Sindhupalchok:
Funds for
earthquake
survivors runs
out
http://english.online
khabar.com/2018/02
/06/412988.html
- It has already been 10 days
since the Office has been
unable to provide grant to the
quake survivors for
reconstruction works.
- Total 79,972 quake
survivors have received the
first tranche of reconstruction
grant worth Rs 50,000.
-The numbers of people to
have received the second and
third instalments, however,
are 32,356 and 6,123
respectively.
4. Feb 27,
2018
Post
Report,
Kathmandu
100k houses
rebuilt in 26
months: NRA
http://kathmandupos
t.ekantipur.com/new
s/2018-02-27/100k-
houses-rebuilt-in-
26-months-nra.html
-More than 100,000 private
houses have been rebuilt,
332,321 are under
construction in the 14 districts
hit hardest by the 2015
earthquake, according to the
National Reconstruction
Authority (NRA).
- The NRA has set a target of
completing 450,000 private
houses by the end of this
fiscal year.
-Dhading leads the completed
reconstruction charts with
18,940, followed by Dolakha
18,107, Sindhupalchok
11,063.

35
5. Jun 16,
2015
Agence
France-
Presse
Mount Everest
moved three
centimetres
after Nepal
earthquake
https://www.theguar
dian.com/world/201
5/jun/16/mount-
everest-moved-
three-centimetres-
after-nepal-
earthquake
-As per China’s national
survey agency the mountain
moved slightly south-west,
reversing its gradual north-
easterly shift of the past
decade.
-Before the quake, Everest
had moved 40cm to the
northeast over the past decade
at a speed of 4cm a year.
-It rose 3cm over the same
time period.
6. Jan 12,
2016
Agence
France-
Presse
Strain on Nepal
faultline risks
another
earthquake in
Kathmandu,
study finds
https://www.theguar
dian.com/world/201
6/jan/12/strain-on-
nepal-faultline-risks-
another-earthquake-
in-kathmandu-study-
finds
-Researchers say a major
tremor could hit Nepal’s
Gorkha district within years
rather than the centuries that
usually pass between quakes.
-Nepal rests on a major
faultline between two tectonic
plates – Indo-Australian
which pushes against the
Eurasian plate. This process
created the Himalayan
mountain range and causes
earthquakes when strain built
up along the fault.
7. April 27,
2015
Mark
Brown
Nepal
earthquake
destroys
Kathmandu
valley's
architectural
treasures
https://www.theguar
dian.com/world/201
5/apr/27/nepal-
earthquake-destroys-
kathmandu-valleys-
architecture-
buildings-heritage
- Dharahara tower and
Kasthamandap temple among
historic sites reduced to
rubble by deadly quake.
- Four of the
seven UNESCO world
heritage sites in the valley
have been severely damaged.

36
8. April 25,
2016
Nepal
earthquake:
What happened
and how is the
country
rebuilding?
http://www.bbc.co.u
k/newsround/36129
992
- According to the UN, more
than eight million people were
affected by the earthquake -
roughly a quarter of the
country's population.
-According to the Red Cross,
four million people are still
living in temporary shelters.
9. April 25,
2015
Strong
earthquake
strikes Nepal
http://www.bbc.co.u
k/newsround/32461
05
-A powerful earthquake of
magnitude 7.8 has struck
Nepal in Asia.
-It struck Kathmandu and
Pokhara.
- Tremors were felt in nearby
countries Pakistan,
Bangladesh and India
10. April 26,
2015
How charities
are helping
Nepal
http://www.bbc.co.u
k/newsround/32474
117
-Countries and charities from
around the world are helping
Nepal deal with the aftermath
of the powerful earthquake.
- America, Pakistan, China
and India, have promised aid
like food supplies, tents,
doctors and search and rescue
helicopters.
- UK charity is sending
shelter material
11. April 27,
2015
 John P.
Rafferty
Nepal
earthquake of
2015
https://www.britanni
ca.com/topic/Nepal-
earthquake-of-2015
- Nepal (Gorkha)
earthquake struck
near Kathmandu in
central Nepal on April 25,
2015.
- The earthquake and its
aftershocks were the result of
thrust faulting in the Indus-
Yarlung suture zone.
- Before 2015, the most recent
large earthquake occurred in
1988.

37
- The earthquake
produced landslides that
devastated rural villages and
some of the most densely
populated parts of the city of
Kathmandu.
-The earthquake also
triggered
an avalanche on Mount
Everest that killed at least 19
climbers and stranded
hundreds.
- Initial damage estimates
ranged from $5 billion to $10
billion.
- Nepal called on the
international community for
aid. The UN established the
“Nepal Earthquake 2015
Flash Appeal” fund, to raise
an estimated $415 million.
- Remoteness of villages,
shortage of vehicles capable
of transporting supplies, “tent
cities” erected in streets,
earthquake debris etc.
hampered efforts by rescuers
to reach people trapped in the
rubble.
12. April 25,
2016
 Sune Engel
Rasmussen
Earthquake
survivors left
stranded in
Nepal as red
tape stops aid
flowing
https://www.theguar
dian.com/global-
development/2016/a
pr/25/earthquake-
survivors-stranded-
nepal-aid-
bureaucracy 0
- Donors drummed up billions
of dollars for Nepal after the
devastating earthquake on 25
April 2015, but the trickle of
money to the affected
population has been
excruciatingly slow.
- Political bickering and
bureaucracy mean there is
little reconstruction fuelling
mistrust of aid agencies

38
13. Feb 21,
2018
 Mild intensity
earthquake hits
Nepal
http://www.tribunei
ndia.com/news/worl
d/mild-intensity-
earthquake-hits-
nepal/547420.html
-The 3.6-magnitude quake
with its epicentre in
Kathmandu city was felt in
Nepal.
-This was an aftershock of
Nepal earthquake that
occurred in2015.
-488 significant aftershocks
have been recorded since the
massive earthquake.
14. June 06,
2017
 Speech by
Chief
Executive
Officer of
the
National
Reconstruct
ion
Authority,
Dr. Govind
Raj
Pokharel
Early lessons
from post-
earthquake
recovery in
Nepal
https://www.nepalho
usingreconstruction.
org/news/nras-ceo-
presented-early-
lessons-earthquake-
recovery-world-
reconstruction-
conference
- highlighted the strengths and
shortcomings of the response
and recovery in the last two
years and on the way forward
-what Nepal needs to do for
sustainable and resilient
recovery
- the necessity of a national
disaster management agency
-the importance of a vibrant
civil society and private
sector; -the need to
consciously involve them in
preparedness planning and
recovery.
15. 26 Dec
2015,
3:10pm
 ABC News Nepalhas new
earthquake
reconstruction
chief
http://www.abc.net.a
u/news/2015-12-
26/nepal-has-new-
earthquake-
reconstruction-
chief/7055028
-Nepal has appointed a new
chief for its reconstruction
authority that will allow the
body to finally start rebuilding
and disbursing aid after
April's massive earthquake,
which killed almost 8,900
people.

39
16. Nov 2016 IRM:
Thematic
study
NepalGovt
distribution of
Earthquake
Reconstruction
cashgrants for
Private House
https://asiafoundatio
n.org/wp-
content/uploads/201
6/12/Nepal-Govt-
Distribution-of-
Earthquake-
Reconstruction-
Cash-Grants-for-
Private-Houses.pdf
-damage assessment and early
cash grants
-rural housing construction
program
-the beneficiary agreement
and grant distribution
processes
-the program in practice
17. 25 Oct,
2015
 Media
Briefing
 OXFAM
The Nepal
Earthquake Six
Months on:What
needs to happen
now ?
https://www.oxfam.
org.nz/sites/default/f
iles/reports/mb-
nepal-earthquake-
six-months-251015-
en.pdf
-rebuilding homes and
preparing for winters
-reviving livelihood and food
security
-inclusive reconstruction and
recovery
-Oxfam’s Earthquake
Response Programme in
Nepal
18. 24 Sep,
2016
 Samantha
Montano
17Months post-
Earthquake
http://www.disaster-
ology.com/home/20
16/9/24/nepal-17-
months-post-
earthquake
- 7.8 magnitude earthquake
"took over 9,000 lives and
caused an estimated $7.1
billion in damage
19. 1 May,
2015
 Ada Thapa Sindhupalchok
earthquake relief
https://www.gofund
me.com/ada_thapa
-trying to get donation for
their help
20. 26 April,
2015
 Robin
Mckie
Why was the
earthquake in
Nepalsuch a
devastating event ?
https://www.theguar
dian.com/world/201
5/apr/25/science-of-
earthquakes
-Several factors combined to
make earthquake in
Nepal such a devastating
event
-basic magnitude
-shallow event with a source
that was only 11km below
ground

40
21. 16 Dec,
2015
 Jane Qui Nepalearthquake
caused fewer
landslides than
feared
https://www.nature.c
om/news/nepal-
earthquake-caused-
fewer-landslides-
than-feared-1.19038
-quake triggered a few tens of
thousands of landslides
-Getting an accurate picture of
where landslides are and how
they will evolve is essential
for any reconstruction plan
22. 27
April,201
5
 BBC News Nepal’s
Kathmandu valley
treasures: Before
and after
http://www.bbc.com
/news/world-asia-
32472307
-there had been extensive and
irreversible damage at the
world heritage site in the
Kathmandu valley
23. 05 Feb,
2016
 Jatin
Gandhi
5.2Magnitude
Earthquake Hits
Nepal, Tremors
felt in Bihar
https://www.ndtv.co
m/world-news/5-2-
magnitude-
earthquake-hits-
nepal-reports-
1274226
-tremors were also felt in
adjoining Bihar
-there have been over 400
aftershocks measuring 4 or
more on the Richter scale.
24. 25
April,201
5
 Alan Taylor Nepal’s
Earthquake :One
Year Later
https://www.theatlan
tic.com/photo/2016/
04/nepals-
earthquakes-one-
year-later/479772/
-images related to serious
destruction done by
earthquake of different areas
25. 27
April,201
5
 BBC News
 Video by
Kishor
Rana
NepalEarthquake :
Drone footage of
Kathmandu
devastation
http://www.bbc.com
/news/av/world-asia-
32481945/nepal-
earthquake-drone-
footage-of-
kathmandu-
devastation
-Amateur drone footage has
been released showing the
extent of the devastation
caused by the earthquake in
Nepal's capital, Kathmandu
-contains aerial shots of
damaged temples, cracked
roads and collapsed buildings

41
CHAPTER V
GLIMPSES INTO THE FIELD WORK

43
Table 6.1
Location Damaging Assets
Infrastructure Loss of
Loved
Ones
Agricultural Livestock Environment
Degradation
Kathmandu 22 6 0 1 0
Chautara 32 13 6 5 1
Sanu
Siruwari
16 1 0 1 0
Table 6.2
Location Household experienced life-changing events
Permanent
disability
Death of
spouse/partner,
parent or child
Psychological
Disorder
Relocation that
resulted in a
detachment
Kathmandu 7 5 0 2
Chautara 2 1 0 6
Sanu
Siruwari
2 0 1 1
22
6
0 1 0
32
13
6 5
1
16
1 0 1 0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Infrastructure Loss of Loved Ones Agricultural Livestock Environment
Degradation
Damaging Assets
DAMAGING ASSESTS
Kathmandu Chautara Sanu Siruwari
CHAPTER VI
DATA REPRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

44
Table 6.3
Location Section of the population faced the most damage
Middle Income
households
Low Income
households
All the sections
Kathmandu 1 7 7
Chautara 0 9 19
Sanu Siruwari 0 4 4
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Permanent disability Death of spouse/partner,
parent or child
Psychological Disorder Relocation that resulted in a
detachment
Household experienced life-changing events
HOUSEHOLD EXPERIENCED LIFE CHANGING
EVENTS
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Middle Income households Low Income households All the sections
Section of the population faced the most damage
SECTION OF THE POPULATION FACED THE
MOST DAMAGE

45
Table 6.4
Location Satisfaction Level of Programmes
High Medium Low Nil
Kathmandu 2 17 7 0
Chautara 1 28 9 2
Sanu
Siruwari
0 4 4 0
Table 6.5
Location Time taken to claim the relief since the event of disaster
Few Days Months Year
No Response/
Don’t Know
Kathmandu 1 7 14 0
Chautara 1 12 16 0
Sanu
Siruwari
0 2 7 0
High
Medium
Low
Nil
SatisfactionLevelof
Programmes
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
no. of people
SATISFACTION LEVEL OF PROGRAMMES
Sanu Siruwari Chautara Kathmandu

Disaster Prevention & Preparedness: Earthquake in Nepal

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