Published in "A Journal on Rural Infrastructure Development" Vol. 6, Issue. 6, 2015 Society of Engineers for Rural Development, Nepal (SERDeN)

1. POST EARTHQUAKE DEBRIS MANAGEMENT:
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Murli Gopal Ranjitkar
Mr. Saroj Updhyay

2. EARTHQUAKES IN NEPAL
• Nepal is the 11th most earthquake-prone country in the world and has experienced a major
earthquake every few generations
• First recorded earthquake 1255 AD, the last great earthquake (of magnitude 8.4) in 1934 AD
• 1980, 1988 and 2011

3. THE 2015 EARTHQUAKE IN
NUMBERS
• Total value of disaster effects is US $ 7 billion, 76%
of this value is destroyed physical infrastructure and
assets
• 18.85 cubic meters of debris remain accumulated in
various parts of 31 quake hit district
• The quantity of debris in Kathmandu is equivalent to
11 years of waste generated by the Valley

4. POST DISASTER DEBRIS MANAGEMENT
• It is imperative for a country like Nepal to prepare a post disaster strategy
• Debris management is a key part of post disaster strategy.
Typical debris stream after Earthquake
Construction and demolition: Building materials
Hazardous waste: Fuels, oil, batteries
Municipal solid waste: HH garbage, personal belongings
Putrescible: Food waste, organic matter
White goods and vehicles: Refrigerators, AC
Special waste: Archeological importance
Geological: Soil, mud and sand

5. DEBRIS MANAGEMENT CYCLE
Importance of Debris Management Plan:
 Expedites the removal of debris thus helping in speedy
recovery of the affected communities.
 Protect human health and environment by proper
removal and organization of debris based on its types.
 Identify the cost effective debris management options
that can save money and spaces for debris disposal.

6. CHALLENGES IN POST EARTHQUAKE
DEBRIS MANAGEMENT
• Debris Clearance, Transport and Disposal
• Management of Archeological Waste
• Financial Constraints
• Environmental, Health and Safety Consideration
• Lack of Rules and Regulation Pertaining To Disaster Waste Management

7. CHALLENGES (CONT.)
DEBRIS CLEARANCE AND DISPOSAL
• International rescue teams and Nepalese security
personal did a commendable and admirable job
• But nearly four months after the quake, debris
are still not cleared in many parts of the country
• Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been disposing
the debris in the open space in Chobhar
• Kathmandu Valley Post-earthquake Debris
Management Strategic Plan
• The lack of preparedness and technical capability
in part of the government to carry out rescue
missions and debris management

8. CHALLENGES (CONT.)
MANAGEMENT OF ARCHEOLOGICAL WASTE
• The earthquakes wreaked havoc on Nepal’s
ancient heritage sites
• Materials from heritage buildings and
monuments have specific handling and/or
salvage requirements.
• In Dharahara pedestrians and opportunists
made away with bricks of historical importance
• In Durbar Square, one of the most damaged
cultural site, there was no space to store the
hundreds of relics of archeological importance
• Haphazard bulldozing
• All this inappropriate handling can ultimately
diminish the chances of rebuilding our
treasured heritage sites

9. CHALLENGES (CONT.)
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
International conference on Nepal’s
Reconstruction, June 2015
• Donors pledge $4.4 billion in Nepal quake aid
• India, China & ADB largest donors
• Over 55 delegations from 35 countries
participated
Constraints:
• Lack of local representatives
• Good governance
• Capacity and mechanism of expenditure
• Corruption and transparency
• Delays in appointment in National
Reconstruction Authority (NRA)

10. CHALLENGES (CONT.)
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY
CONSIDERATION
• The volume of paint and lead from damaged houses and building could reach 3.176
million liters and 33 kilograms in Kathmandu valley and 1.3 million liters and 116
kilograms in other 11 earthquake hit districts respectively (SWMTSC/MoUD)
• Other hazardous wastes include battery and mercury
• Locals directly exposed
• Lack of proper protective measures and first
aid for demolition workers and supervisors

11. CHALLENGES (CONT.)
LACK OF RULES AND REGULATION PERTAINING
TO DISASTER WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Proper guidelines and framework to properly deal and address the management of
wastes form natural disasters lacking
• The Solid Waste Management Rules 2013, the Solid Waste Management Act 2011
and the National Policy on solid waste management 1996 don’t intrinsic deal with
post disaster debris management
• Stumbling block in properly dealing and addressing the management of wastes form
natural disasters.

12. OPPORTUNITIES IN POST EARTHQUAKE
DEBRIS MANAGEMENT
• Recycle, Reduce and Reuse (3R) Potential of Debris
• Construction and Demolition Debris
• Communal Initiative

13. OPPORTUNITIES (CONT.)
RECYCLE, REDUCE AND REUSE (3R) POTENTIAL
OF DEBRIS
Category Recycling Reuse Reduction Landfill
C&D debris × × × ×
Metals and white goods × × ×
Vegetation × × ×
Automobiles × × ×
Electronic waste × ×
Inert Environmental Debris × ×
Treated wood ×
Putrescible waste × ×
Hazardous waste ×
Economic and Environmental Benefits
 Reduction in the cost of debris removal and disposal
 Reduction in space used for landfill and transportation
costs
 Revenue from recycled aggregates
 Job creation especially in developing countries
 Putrescible and vegetative waste can be reduced by
composting which can then be used for diverse purposes

14. OPPORTUNITIES (CONT.)
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS (C&D)
C&D debris represents a large portion of disaster debris but provide an excellent opportunity for
recycling, reuse and reduction.
• The expansion of roads in the Kathmandu Valley is ongoing, so some of the C&D waste
can be used in this work
• Masonry materials, such as brick and blocks, and concrete could be used in the
landscaping industry.
• Timber and other wood products can be used in variety of ways
• Asphalt shingles could be recycled into new asphalt pavement mixes or used at a cement
kiln. Drywall can be recycled into new dry wall, cement and agricultural uses.
• Metal is already typically recycled, therefore options for metal recycling after a disaster is
very promising.

15. OPPORTUNITIES (CONT.)
COMMUNAL INITIATIVE
Case Study
Taukhel settlement of Machhegaun in Chandragiri Municipality Ward no. 13

16. CASE STUDY (CONT.)
No. of dead 5
Total Building in Area: 120 Total Population in Area: 650
Total Collapsed building due to earthquake: 98 Total effective population due to earthquake: 580

17. CASE STUDY (CONT.)
• A technical team consisting of the writers, construction management specialist,
environmental specialist and Youth Community for Nepalese Contractors (YCNC)
under Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN) was formed to study
the ground situation of debris management
• From the feasibility study, it was concluded that it will require 2 million Nepalese
Rupees (NPR) for the debris clearance and management
5 conditions were set forth
• Local disaster management and reconstruction should be formed
• Maximum involvement of local communities
• For monitoring the project, a monitoring team consisting of local political
representative should be formed
• The site for disposal of debris should be guaranteed
• 50% of the estimated budget should be managed from local level

18. CASE STUDY (CONT.)

19. CASE STUDY (CONT.)
• The work to demolish and clear the debris from damaged building finished within 18
day of its commencement
• Total expenditure was 35% less than the estimated budget (1.3 million NPR)
• At the end of the project the total number of building demolished was 98 and the
total volume of debris managed was 5058 meter cube.
• The debris was disposed effectively and most of it used for land reclamation.

20. CASE STUDY (CONT.)
Lesson Learnt
• It is possible to manage the damaged building and its debris from the small
machines that are available within the country.
• Greater control over the quality of work, budget and timeliness of the project
• A combined effort of technicians, specialist and locals ensures speedy and justifiable
recovery.
• Reduces the demands on regulatory authorities
• Increases the community realization that all debris are not waste, thus helping in
reuse and recycling of debris.
• Debris can be used for land reclamation in shallow areas

21. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
• Disaster events can generate large quantities of debris and management of such
debris can present a major challenge
• There was a lack of preparedness and technical capability in part of the government
to carry out rescue missions and debris management on its own and of such
magnitude
• It is imperative that the government formulates proper guidelines and framework to
properly address post disaster recovery and reconstruction measures
• Also, to put the plans into action government needs to overcome financial
constraints and address issues related to efficiency, transparency and governance

22. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
• Post-earthquake debris, especially C&D debris, have enormous 3R potential
• These 3R strategies can bring numerous economic, social and environmental
benefits
• Special waste streams should be given proper consideration during debris clearance
and management
• Specific strategy for managing such type of waste streams should be developed to
safeguard remains of our historical relics

23. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
• Hazardous waste pose immediate threat to human health, safety and environment.
Hence, it is critical to guarantee its proper management.
• Necessary safety measures needs to be put in place for demolition workers, handlers
and supervisors. Only skilled workers should be designated for high risk works.
• Finally, it recommended that health, environment and safety expert be appointed,
either by the government or independently, who can advise on potential hazards.

24. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
• From our case study, it can be concluded that it is not always necessary to rely on
imported machines and specialists to remove debris from damaged building.
• It is important to ensure local cooperation and initiation.
• Also, government should move forward to assist these projects so that local
communities can benefit and at same time realize and appreciate government’s
presence.
• Furthermore, government should create necessary working environment for
professionals including engineers, environmentalist, geologist and contractors
working in this field.
• Finally, local political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should
also contribute in these initiative through active coordination and monitoring

25. Thank You