K.P.
Kaphle1 A.M. Dixit2 and M. Nakarmi2
1 Department of Mines and Geology, Lainchaur, Kathmandu
2 National Society of Earthquake Technology Nepal,
Kathmandu
ABSTRACT
The Himalayan Range is a young mountain chain, which was
formed as a result of collision of Indian plate with the Eurasian (Tibetan)
plate since early Tertiary period. It stretches almost 2500 km in east-west
direction. Nepal lies in the central part and occupies almost one-third part of
the Range. Northern part (almost 83%) of the Nepalese territory is mountainous,
whereas the southern marginal part (about 17%) is a flat land of Indo-Gangetic
Plain (Terai). Because of her location in the Himalayas, rugged topography,
very high relief, high angle of slopes, deep gorges, variable climatic
conditions, complex geology with sharp linear geological structures and active
tectonic processes and continue seismic activities therein, the country as a
whole is vulnerable to various types of natural disasters.
Nepal
as a whole is prone to earthquake hazard. The Mountain and hilly areas are
vulnerable to soil erosion, landslide and debris flow hazards. Quite a few
glacial lakes in the Higher Himalayan region of Nepal are prone to Glacier Lake
Outburst Flood (GLOF). Similarly, the flat piedmont plains of the Terai, and
the low valleys in the midlands are susceptible to flood hazards. Some parts of
the valley fill sediments in Pokhara Valley are susceptible to sinkhole and
subsidence hazards. Additionally, many parts of the country are struck by one
or more types of disaster such as drought, cloudburst, storm, hailstorm,
epidemic, fire etc. Urban inhabitants are facing acute problem of pollution
causing health hazards, while the people in the rural areas are frequently
suffered from epidemics. The country has suffered many times from such
disasters in the past. The earthquake of 1934, 1980, 1988 and the flood of July
1993 are the examples of the natural disaster that caused huge loss of lives,
damage of properties and infrastructures. Such events have caused considerable
setback to the overall developments of the country as a whole.
Natural
Disasters like volcanic eruption, earthquakes cannot be prevented whereas most
of the man–induced disasters can be prevented or modified by proper use of the
available technology. However, now it is understood that the impact of all
types of disaster can surely be reduced significantly with the application of
mitigation measures and preparedness in time.
Over the years, Nepal
has accumulated considerable experience in disaster management. In the past,
the government and the people at large have given more emphasis on the
post-disaster activities, but only since last few years considerable efforts
have been put to pre-disaster actions such as mitigation and preparedness.
Government and non-government organizations have put considerable efforts in
generating data on hazards and disaster management. All these valuable data and
information in the form of maps, reports, published literatures are scattered
in different agencies. As a result, any effective use of these data is
difficult for a preparedness and response planning precluding the formulation
and implementation of any disaster management program. Therefore, it is
extremely important to prepare an inventory of all the data (maps, reports,
literatures, programs etc.) on disaster management capabilities that are
available with the different organizations. Government must enforce National
Building Code prepared in 1994 in all types of construction.
The paper provides the
basic information and all pertinent data related to every aspect of natural
disaster and overview of various types of disaster and present management
capabilities in Nepal. The work scope
was limited to collection and compilation of existing data as much as possible
but not generating the data. However, a document like this requires a continual
upgrading. The paper also presents the concept and some findings of works done
for the compilation of the available data on disaster management capabilities
in Nepal.
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