Nepal Earthquake (25th April 2015)
The most devastating earthquake of 2015..........
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE / GORKHA EARTHQUAKE
- The catastrophic Nepal earthquake killed more than 8,800 and injured more than 20,000.
- On April 25, an earthquake erupted approximately 85 miles east of the capital, Kathmandu.
- It occurred at 11:56 NST on 25 April, Saturday; with a magnitude of 7.8.
- Its epicenter was east of the district of Lamjung, and its hypocentre was at a depth of approximately 15 km (9.3 mi).
- It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake.
- There were about 4726 earthquakes in 2015, and the Nepal earthquake was recorded to be the first.
Video Shows Quake Destruction On Tibet Side Of Himalayas
How does an earthquake occur?
What are the reasons for the cause of Nepal earthquake?
Saturday's catastrophic earthquake in Nepal occurred because of two converging tectonic plates: the Indian plate and the overriding Eurasian plate to the north.
The Science Behind The Nepal Earthquake
Destruction caused by the earthquake
Officially, 8,836 people were reported dead and 21,952 injured.
Collapsed buildings in Kathmandu after the earthquake hit Nepal
Result of Nepal earthquake in Sakhu, the outskirts of Kathmandu
Over 1000 died after the earthquake hit Nepal
Dead bodies taken out from collapsed buildings
People looked for belongings in their destroyed homes
Houses destroyed by the earthquake
What do you observe during an earthquake?
- The ground or floor will move, perhaps violently.
- Whether far away or close to the source, you will probably feel shaking followed by a rolling motion.
- If you are far away from the source, you might see swaying buildings or hear a roaring sound.
- If you live in a high rise or a multi-storey building, you may experience more sway and less shaking than in a smaller. Lower floors will shake rapidly. On upper floors, movement will be slower but the building will move farther from side to side.
- Furnishings and unsecured objects could fall over or slide across the floor or be thrown with damaging force across the room.
- Unsecured light fixtures and ceiling panels may fall.
- Lights and power may go off.
- You may feel dizzy and be unable to walk during the earthquake.
What measures should be taken by the people caught in an earthquake?
- Stay calm. Help others if you are able.
- Listen to the radio for information from authorities. Follow their instructions.
- Put on sturdy shoes and protective clothing to help prevent injury from debris, especially broken glass.
- Check your home for structural damage and other hazards. If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not re-enter.
- Unplug appliances and broken lights to prevent fire starts when the power is restored.
- Stay away from brick walls and chimneys as they may be damaged or weakened and could collapse during aftershocks.
- Do not waste food.
- If tap water is still available immediately after the earthquake, fill a bathtub and other containers in case the supply gets cut off. If there is no running water, there may be water in the hot water tank (make sure water is not hot before touching it).
Rescue team
- A team of 45 rescue experts from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg left on a Belgian military plane on Sunday, bound for Nepal.
- Japan's emergency services team, comprised of 70 experts, were also dispatched on Sunday. Sri Lanka sent a military C-130 aircraft carrying a 48-member medical and relief team with essential supplies. A second plane was also expected to carry more medical staff.
- India, China and Pakistan were the first to respond following news of the disaster. India deployed two military transport panes, while Pakistan sent two C-130 aircrafts carrying food and essential supplies, including a 30-bed hospital.
- A 62-member Chinese search and rescue team was also dispatched to Katmandu on Saturday.
- The US committed $1 million (0.92 million euros) along with rescue teams, the US Agency for International Development confirmed. Australia and New Zealand pledged more than $4.5 million, while South Korea promised $1 million in humanitarian aid.
Chinese search and rescue team arrives at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Challenges faced by rescue teams
- European, Asian and North American governments sent emergency response teams to Nepal. However, blocked roads, collapsed buildings, and continuing aftershocks posed major setbacks for emergency crews searching for survivors.
- Governments across the globe had deployed emergency assistance. But response teams faced difficulties as the death toll continued to rise.
- Communication was down in many areas. Widespread destruction, rubble and landslides prevented access to provide aid in many villages.
- Communication systems were congested and hospitals were crowded and were running out of room for storing dead bodies.
- Morgues were reaching capacity, so the medical supplies worsened.