Nepali Times
PAAVAN MATHEMA
My Two Paisa
Vacancy: Earthquake Inspectors


PAAVAN MATHEMA


BIKRAM RAI

Watching cockroaches and flies infesting kitchens of many sweet shops in the capital, following the raids last week by the Department of Commerce, most of us are probably off gudpak and pustakari for good.

It wasn't that we didn't doubt the quality of food that these shops or restaurants sold. But in absence of hard evidence, we chose to ignore the health risks because out of sight is out of mind. It is a similar story with the buildings that we live or work in.

Matchbox structures, buildings with unnecessary ornamental columns and cantilever appendages, and alleyways from which you can't even see the sky because of buildings on either side. We've heard the scare stories: given a replay of the 1934 earthquake there will be upwards of 100,000 deaths in Kathmandu Valley alone. Most of them will be buried in the rubble of collapsed buildings. There are over 6 million buildings in the valley.

Why can't there be a repeat of the gudpak raids, but this time inspect how resistant buildings are to earthquakes. After all, both are hazardous to health.

This is a country where people actually bribe officials so they can build unsafe houses for themselves and their families. The first place to start quality control of buildings is at the municipality where the permits are issued. Kathmandu's 1994 building code is one of the best in the region and just ensuring that engineers and construction companies follow these rules can make them quake resistant. There must be a strict quality check of the quality of cement, steel rods and building materials. The construction process itself needs monitoring. People have to realise that if they cut corners, they are not building a house but digging their own graves.

Taking the cue from Department of Commerce, the Department of Housing and Urban Planning or Department of Town Planning could start assessing existing buildings, starting with public structures housing schools, hospitals, malls, cinemas. Other critical infrastructure also needs assessment: roads, bridges, telecommunication towers, water and electricity supply. Government offices should also be checked so that they can function and deploy emergency services and relief during an earthquake.

Buildings that fail the test can be put on a list for demolition or retrofitting. There is a donor consortium for disaster preparedness that is setting aside money for schools and hospitals, the government should do its bit for other infrastructure. Technologies for seismic retrofitting are available in the country and cost Rs 1000 per sq ft. That is not a lot, considering the lives that can be saved. If one cannot afford retrofitting, seismic aspects may be incorporated in the house to minimise the effect of a quake.

We know the government doesn't have its act together. So why wait for a raid to tell you your house is unsafe? Every individual, family or community has to work on its own preparedness. Groups like NSET-Nepal can help in assessment and advice on retrofitting.

Commercial buildings, corporate offices, even hotels, can start tagging themselves as earthquake resistant. The tag will also bring in more business. For example, a tourist is more likely to choose an earthquake resistant hotel to an unsafe one. If one hotel shows commitment to earthquake safety, others will follow suit. This will be a CSR of a greater social and business value than most of their so-called "socially responsible" projects.

Kathmandu is sitting on a seismic bomb that might go off anytime. If 18 September's earthquake was an alarm bell, it is about time we wake up.

Read also:
Coping the best we can

A shaken nation
If the slow pace of rescue and relief is any indication, rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure in eastern Nepal will take decades

A virtual response to a real disaster in Nepal,SAPANA SHAKYA in OAKLAND
Overseas Nepalis simulate an earthquake emergency in Nepal to coordinate global rescue and relief



1. Hange
"Kathmandu is sitting on a seismic bomb that might go off anytime. If 18 September's earthquake was an alarm bell, it is about time we wake up."  This sums up the scientific fact that the indian plate is continuing to push under the larger asian plate which pushes up our young himalayas.  It is just a matter of time- and it won't even take such a large quake.  Just the recent Sikkim earthquake- with its epicenter in KTM - will cause catastrophic damage.


2. mags
It's a bit late for earthquake inspectors in Kathmandu. If they cut corners and didn't build according to code to save money before, do you really think they'll earthquake retrofit now? Fat chance. I hired a reputable engineering firm to inspect and renovate my home in kopundol. It took time and ended up costing me a huge amt of money. My home was fairly well built to begin with, but they said it would survive only a moderate size earthquake (like the one just experienced) and would take considerable work to survive a larger one.  The only way to prepare at this point  is to gather emergency supplies and pray you survive to help others in need after the quake hits. 

3. Babuwan Singh
Fortunately I have selected anti corruption as my scope and launched hunger strike.at Jaleswor. please check Mato Ko Madhava for this Work recently 5 more alive colleagues has joined his Club. Sooner or Later a PHD holder will also join the club hence Good Resource personnel forthe Post . Earth quake PMs .. kindly amend the position.


LATEST ISSUE
638
(11 JAN 2013 - 17 JAN 2013)


ADVERTISEMENT



himalkhabar.com            

NEPALI TIMES IS A PUBLICATION OF HIMALMEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED | ABOUT US | ADVERTISE | SUBSCRIPTION | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | CONTACT