KATHMANDU, OCT 23 - Geologists, at a seminar today, to discuss ways to prevent loss of life and property during landslides, earthquakes and floods, highlighted the importance of being prepared for natural disasters in a disaster-prone area like Nepal.
The inauguration of the national meeting-cum-seminar on ‘living with risk’ was organised by the Nepal Geological Society. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Home, UNDP-Nepal, Department of Water Induced and Disaster Prevention and NSET-Nepal.
The programme also coincides with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Day.
Megh Raj Dhital of the Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, presented an example of water-induced hazard mapping in Rupandehi district. The hazard map was targeted to assist the local inhabitants in planning, mitigation and avoiding water-induced dangers.
Dhital said the map depicts the main rescue routes to nearby service centres and shelters to help people during a landslide.
Nepal has been experiencing a major earthquake every 75 to 100 years and a mild one every 50 years, said Prof Jiba Raj Pokharel. "Seismologists have also been predicting an earthquake of major intensity in Nepal in the future," he said.
Prof Pokharel added that it is likely that 40,000 people could be killed if a major earthquake were to rock Kathmandu. He said it was necessary to construct new earthquake-resistant buildings both in design and construction.
Experts were also of the view that existing buildings need to be retrofitted.Posted on: 2003-10-22 11:08

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