Nepal Earthquake
April 2015
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The April 2015 Nepal earthquake also known as the Gorkha earthquake killed more than 8,800 people and injured more than 23,000. It occurred at 11:56 NST on 25 April,2015 with a magnitude of 8.1Ms. Its epicenter was east of the district of Lamjung, and it was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake.
REASON FOR THE OCCURRENCE IN TERMS OF PLATE MOVEMENT -->
According to the USGS (US Geological Survey), the temblor was caused by a sudden thrust, or release of built-up stress, along the major fault line where the Indian Plate, carrying India, slowly dives underneath the Eurasian Plate, carrying much of Europe and Asia.
CASUALTIES AND DESTRUCTION -->
The death toll stands at over 8,000. The worst affected areas face a humanitarian crisis with 279,000 homes damaged and an estimated 2.8 million people displaced.
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Wrecked buildings after the earthquake shook Nepal's capital Kathmandu.
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Emergency rescue workers carry a victim on a stretcher after Dharara tower collapsed on April 25.
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Authorities in Nepal say the death toll from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake were rising as bodies are retrieved from rubble. Many survivors spent the night in the streets.
Challenges faced by the Rescue Team -->
Governments across the globe have deployed emergency assistance following Nepal's deadliest earthquake in nearly a century. But response teams faced increasing difficulties as the death toll continued to rise. European, Asian, and North American governments sent emergency response teams to Nepal as the country struggled to cope with the disaster. However, blocked roads, collapsed buildings, and continued aftershocks posed major setbacks for emergency crews searching for survivors.
What measures should be taken if caught with massive earthquakes?
- Drop down; take cover under a desk or table and hold on.
- Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit.
- Stay away from bookcases or furniture that can fall on you.
- Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
- If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
- If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.