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2. geology
3. seismology
4. earthquakes

SOUTH ASIA DISASTER UPDATE
www.saarc-sdmc.nic.in
Date: 26-04-2015
Nepal Earthquake 2015
A high-intensity quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale on Saturday rocked many parts of East and
North India, including Delhi, the epicenter of which was in Nepal.
Magnitude 7.8
Date time 2015-04-25 06:11:26.3 UTC
Location 28.28 N ; 84.79 E
Depth 10 km
Distances: 83 km NW of Kathmandu, Nepal / pop: 1,442,271 / local time: 11:56:26.3 2015-04-25
Distances: 75 km NE of Bharatpur, Nepal / pop: 107,157 / local time: 11:56:26.3 2015-04-25
A visualization of how the intensity varied with distance from epicenter:
Aftershocks:
Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller
than the mainshock and within 1-2 rupture lengths distance from the mainshock.
Epicenter:
The epicentre is the point on the earth's surface vertically above the hypocenter (or focus), point in the
crust where a seismic rupture begins.
Hypocentre:
The hypocenter is the point within the earth where an earthquake rupture starts. The epicentre is the point
directly above it at the surface of the Earth.
Richter scale:
The Richter magnitude scale is a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude
of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Highlights

Most affected areas are Gorkha and Lamjung Districts (north-west of Kathmandu). Damage in
Kathmandu Valley limited to historical densely built up neighborhoods.

Latest government figures on total causalities are between 700 - 1000. This is expected to
increase.

Government has called emergency meeting with CNDRC followed by Emergency Core Clusters.
Updates on this to be shared shortly.

Total affected population not yet determined but 30 of 75 districts are reported to be affected.
Disaster event
At 11:56 local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, with epicenter in Lamjung District
(north-west) of Kathmandu; south of China border).
Impacts
Government reporting 30 out of 75 districts affected in the Western and Central Regions, including
Kathmandu Valley districts. This includes mountain and hilly areas, disperse rural populations as well as
some very densely populated districts and Nepal's 2 largest cities - greater Kathmandu and Pokhara. Most
affected districts are Sindulpalchowk, Kavre, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dolakha in the CR and Kaski, Gorkha,
Lamjung in the WR. Initial reports from UN field offices are that the Eastern Region is not badly affected
and Terrai has been minimally affected.
Government reporting over 700-1000 dead; this is expected to increase.
populations.
No figures yet on affected
Impacts in Kathmandu valley include collapsed buildings and walls especially historic buildings in centres,
but less overall damage and collapse of buildings than expected.
In Kathmandu Valley, hospitals area overcrowded, running out of room for storing dead bodies and also
running short of emergency supplies. BIR hospital is treating people in the streets. There are reports that
the hospital emergency stocks are depleting/used up and there is a need for a government decision on
bringing kits from the military.Majority of population remaining outside houses due to fear of aftershocks
and structural damage to buildings.
Humanitarian needs
Government is requesting international assistance. Government is currently reporting that needs include:
Search and Rescue capacity;
medical teams, supplies and tenting for hospitals, and dead-body bags;
heavy equipment for rubble removal;
and helicopters for transport and access to blocked areas
Evolving response
GON has held a meeting of their Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC), followed by
meetings with Cabinet and the humanitarian community. An HCT meeting followed in the evening.
Government reports that all hospital staff mobilized and are deploying small teams to hospitals in
Kathmandu. Chitwan and Pokhara which both are well staffed are sending medical teams to worst affected
areas - Gorkha and Lamjung.
Government is intending to set-up displaced camps in Kathmandu Valley and outside, where there are APF
bases as these have established water supply and security.
Government is unclear on emergency food stocks.
Government was requested to mobilize the construction sector for rubble removal.
It is not clear whether GON will be setting up a response fund and there is still need to establish what
resources government can mobilize.
Official requests have been made to Government of India and Government of China and both are being
mobilized. Indian Super Hercules was sent at 6:00pm local time.
UNHCT is consolidating information on their capacity and supplies for Sunday, 26 April.
Meeting of clusters 11:00 am tomorrow and the first of daily meetings with the government at
the National Emergency Operating Center at 3:00pm.
Operational/logistics update
National Emergency Operating Centre is operational.
The Kathmandu and Pokhara airport remains open. Some commercial flights appear to be coming in.
Status of the feeder roads outside of Kathmandu Valley are still unclear.
Government has been requested but is still unclear on expedited customs clearance for emergency cargo
and processes at the airport.
Impacts details
=
A file photo of Japanese schoolchildren making
their way through the rubble in the devastated
city of Minamisanriku, northeastern Japan on
March, 2011, after the earthquake and tsunami
that struck the country’s northeast coast
A portion of the wall of an old house adjoining
the gated community collapsed in Kathmandu,
Nepal, on Saturday following an earthquake.
Photo: Damakant Jayshi
Nepal quake kills 1,200, sparks deadly Everest avalanche
Source- Relief Web
Date- 25th April 2015
A massive earthquake killed more than 1,200 people Saturday as it tore through large parts of Nepal,
toppling office blocks and towers in Kathmandu and triggering a deadly avalanche at Everest base camp.
At least 1,170 people are known to have died in Nepal, officials said, making it the quake-prone and
impoverished Himalayan nation's worst disaster in more than 80 years.
But the final toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake could be much higher, and dozens more people were
reported killed in neighbouring India and China.Offers of help poured in from governments around the
world, with the United States and European Union announcing they were sending in disaster response
teams, as emergency workers fanned out across Nepal to rescue those trapped under collapsed homes and
buildings."The death toll has reached 1,170," Nepal police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam told
AFP."Deaths have been reported from all regions except the far west. All our security personnel have
been deployed to rescue and assist those in need."The Red Cross (IFRC) said it was concerned about the
fate of rural villages close to the epicentre of the quake northwest of the capital Kathmandu, where a
historic tower collapsed."Roads have been damaged or blocked by landslides and communication lines
are down preventing us from reaching local Red Cross branches to get accurate information," said IFRC
Asia/Pacific director Jagan Chapagain.

Everest 'chaos' -
At least 10 people were killed when an avalanche buried parts of Mount Everest's base camp in Nepal
where hundreds of mountaineers have gathered at the start of the annual climbing season, officials
said.Google executive Dan Fredinburg was the only climber killed so far identified.Lawrence You,
director of privacy at Google, said Fredinburg was with three other Google employees, who all survived.
He added that Google.org was contributing $1 million to response efforts.Experienced mountaineers said
panic erupted at base camp, which had been "severely damaged", while one described the avalanche as
"huge"."Huge disaster. Helped searched and rescued victims through huge debris area. Many dead. Much
more badly injured. More to die if not heli asap," tweeted Romanian climber Alex Gavan from base
camp.
Gyanendra Kumar Shrestha, an official in Nepal's tourism department, told AFP: "We are trying to assess
how many are injured. There might be over 1,000 people there right now, including foreign climbers and
Nepalese supporting staff."
AFP Nepal bureau chief Ammu Kannampilly, on an assignment to Everest together with a colleague, was
among those caught up in the chaos.
"We are both ok... snowing here so no choppers coming," she said in an SMS on an approach to base
camp. "I hurt my hand - got it bandaged and told to keep it upright to stop the bleeding."

Historic tower collapses -
Kathmandu was severely damaged, and the historic nine-storey Dharahara tower, a major tourist
attraction, was among buildings brought down.
At least a dozen bodies were taken away from the ruins of the 19th-century tower, according to an AFP
photographer who saw similar scenes of multiple casualties throughout the city.
"It was difficult to breathe, but I slowly moved the debris. Someone then pulled me out. I don't know
where my friends are," Dharmu Subedi, 36, who was standing outside the tower when it collapsed, said
from a hospital bed.
At least 42 people were known to have died in India, including 30 in the eastern state of Bihar, while
buildings in the capital New Delhi had to be evacuated.
China's official Xinhua news agency said that 13 people, including an 83-year-old woman, were killed in
the Tibet region.
The United States Geological Survey said the shallow quake -- initially measured at 7.5 magnitude and
later adjusted to 7.8 -- struck 77 kilometres (48 miles) northwest of Kathmandu at 0611 GMT.
The quake ripped through the middle of highways in the capital and also caused damage to the country's
only international airport, which was briefly closed.
Kari Cuelenaere, an official at the Dutch embassy, said the impact had swept the water out of a swimming
pool at a Kathmandu hotel where Dutch national day was being celebrated.
"It was horrible, all of a sudden all the water came up out of the pool and drenched everyone, the children
started screaming," Cuelenaere told AFP. "Some parts of the city fell down, there was dust rising... There
were many (rescue) helicopters."
Aftershock tremors could be felt more than two hours after the initial quake.
Nepal and the rest of the Himalayas are particularly prone to earthquakes because of the collision of the
Indian and Eurasia plates.
An 6.8 magnitude quake hit eastern Nepal in August 1988 killing 721 people, and a magnitude 8.1 quake
killed 10,700 people in Nepal and eastern India in 1934.

Offers of support -
A spokesman for Nepal's home ministry said the government had released around $500 million as
emergency funds for rescue operations.
India dispatched two military transport planes to help with the rescue and relief efforts and there were
similar offers from around the region, including Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said a disaster response was being flown to
Nepal and that the Obama administration had authorised an initial $1 million "to address immediate
needs".
Britain, Germany, Norway, Spain and Israel also pledged support and assistance, as international aid
groups, including Action Against Hunger (ACF) and Christian Aid, mobilised funds and teams to send to
Nepal.
Pope Francis said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy, in a telegram sent by his Secretary of State
Pietro Parolin to the Nepalese Catholic authorities.
SAARC Secretariat Email Address
SAARC Secretariat, PO Box 4222, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: +977 1 4221785, 4226350, 423134, 4221411. Fax: +977 1 4227033, 4223991
dirbhu@saarc-sec.org,
ugyen@saarc-sec.org,
saarc@saarc-sec.org
SAARC Secretariat No -097714228929(Dgyen Number)
Contact Point of Nepal
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
PHONE.: 977-01- 4200182,
977-01-4200183,
977-01-4200184,
977-01-4200185.
FAX:
977-01- 4200061,
977-01-4200056,
977-01-4200160.
TOLL FREE No: 1660-01-00186
E-MAIL : info@mofa.gov.np
WEB : www.mofa.gov.np
National Emergency Operation Center
Phone 1: +977-1-4200105 / +977-1-4200203 / Fax : +977-1-4200103
Email : neoc@moha.gov.np | Satellite Phone: +870776741587, +870776741492
The Joint Secretary (SAARC),
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Government of Nepal,
Sheetal Niwas, Maharajganj
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel. 00977-1-4200145 Extn 210
Fax: 4200061 / 56, 4200160, 4211922,
4200056
Email: sa@mofa.gov.np
Mr. Yadav Koirala
Joint Secretary
Disaster Management Division
Ministry of Home Affairs, Singh Durbar,
Kathmandu, Nepal
E-Mail: yadavkoirala@ymail.com
Handy No is 9851140011
Mr. Pradip Kumar Koirala (Mr.)
Under Secretary, Disaster Management Division
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Handy No. ++977 9841377224
Mr. Jhanka Dhakal
Under Secretary,
Disaster Management Division
Handy 9843058116
e-mail: dhakaljn31@gmail.com
List of Some Important Names and E-mail Addresses (MOFA Officials)
List of Some Important Names and E-mail Addresses
February 3, 2015
Designation
Foreign Secretary
Spoksperson
Chief of Protocol
Head, Central Asia,
West Asia and
Africa Division
Head, Economic
Diplomacy and
Non Resident
Nepali Division
Name
Mr. Shanker
Das Bairagi
Tel. No.
E-mail Address
4200192-93
fso@mofa.gov.np
Mr. Tara
Prasad
Pokharel
4200189
spo@mofa.gov.np
Mr. Arjun
Kant Mainali
4211577
protocol@mofa.gov.np
Dr. Durga
Bahadur
Subedi
4211916
waa@mofa.gov.np
dubasu.chhetri@mofa.gov.np
Mr. Nirmalraj
Kafle
4200167
ednrn@mofa.gov.np
Head, Europe
America Division
Mr. Nirmal
Raj Kafle
Head, General
Administration
Division
4200167
euroam@mofa.gov.np
Dr. Durga
Bahadur
Subedi
4211916
ga@mofa.gov.np;
dubasu.chhetri@mofa.gov.np
Mr. Jhabindra
Prasad Aryal
4211914
nea@mofa.gov.np
Head, Policy,
Planning,
Monitoring and
Mr. Ramesh
Research Division Prasad Khanal
4200145
ppmr@mofa.gov.np
Head, Regional
Organizations
Division
Mr. Ramesh
Prasad Khanal
4200145
ro@mofa.gov.np
Head, South Asia
Division
Mr. Prakash
Kumar Suvedi
4200435
sa@mofa.gov.np
Head, South East
Asia and Pacific
Division
Mr. Jhabindra
Prasad Aryal
4211914
seap@mofa.gov.np
Head, North East
Asia Division
Head, United
Nations,
International
Organizations and
International Law
Division
Mr. Tara
Prasad
Pokharel
4200189
un@mofa.gov.np
Director General,
Mr. Lok
Department of
Bahadur
Passport
Thapa
4416010
passport@mofa.gov.np
- See more at: http://mofa.gov.np/en/news/detail/755#sthash.xjujKOtt.dpuf
Helpline:
Ambulance and Police Emergency Helpline numbers in Nepal (country
code:0977)
Name
Telephone Numbers
Police Control
100
Police Emergency Number
4228435/4226853
977-1Metropolitan Police Range (Kathmandu)
4261945/4261790
Metropolitan Police Range (Lalitpur)
5521207
Metropolitan Police Range (Bhaktapur)
977-61-6614821
Paropakar Ambulance Service
4260859
Lalitpur Redcross Ambulance Service
5545666
Bishal Bazar Ambulance Service
4244121
·
Hospital, Fire Brigade and Blood Banks
Name
Nepal Eye Bank
Nepal Eye Hospital
Telephone
Numbers
4493684
4250691
Tilganga Eye Hospital
Bir Hospital
Nepal Police Hospital
TU Teaching Hospital
Maternity Hospital
Teku Hospital
Patan Hospital
Bhaktapur Hospital
Mental Hospital
Kanti Children Hospital
Kathmandu Model Hospital
B&B Hospital
Medicare National Hospital
Medicare National Hospital – Ambulance
Nepal Orthopaedic Hospital
Kathmandu Medical College (Teaching Hospital –
Sinamangal)
Nepal Medical College (Teaching Hospital –
Jorpati)
Kantipur Dental Hospital, Maharajgunj
Kantipur Hospital, New Baneshwor
Hospital and Research Centre
Norvic Hospital
Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre
Life Care Hospital
Miteri Hospital
Capital Hospital
Shree Satya Sai Centre
Bhaktapur Redcross
National Kidney Centre
Fire Brigade
Blood Bank
4423684
4223807/4221988
4412430/44122530
4412404/4412505
4253276
4253396
5522278/5522266
6610676
5521333
4414798/4427452
4240805
5533206
4467067
4467067
4493725
4476152
4486008
4371603
4498757
4476225
4258554
4371322/4371374
4227735
4280555/4222305
4244022
4498035
6612266
4429866/4426016
101
4225344
The world's strongest earthquakes since 1900

Jan. 31, 1906 - A magnitude—8.8 quake off the coast of Ecuador generates a tsunami that kills at least
500 people.

Nov. 11, 1922 - A magnitude-8.5 quake along the Chile—Argentina border triggers a tsunami that causes
damage along Chile’s coast.

Feb. 3, 1923 - A magnitude-8.5 quake in Kamchatka in Russia’s Far East triggers a tsunami.

Feb.1 , 1938 - A magnitude-8.5 quake in Banda Sea, Indonesia, generates a small tsunami.

Aug. 15, 1950 - A magnitude-8.6 earthquake in Tibet kills at least 780 people.

Nov. 4, 1952 - A magnitude-9.0 quake in Kamchatka in Russia’s Far East causes damage but no reported
deaths despite setting off 9.1-meter (30-foot) waves in Hawaii.

March 9, 1957 - A magnitude-8.6 quake strikes the Andreanof Islands in Alaska triggers a 16-meter (52foot) -high tsunami.

May 22, 1960 - A magnitude-9.5 earthquake in southern Chile and ensuing tsunami kill at least 1,716
people.

Oct. 13, 1963 - A magnitude-8.5 quake in the Kuril Islands triggers a tsunami.

March 28, 1964 - A magnitude-9.2 quake in Prince William Sound, Alaska, kills 131 people, including
128 from a tsunami.

Feb. 4, 1965 - A magnitude-8.7 quake strikes Alaska’s Rat Islands, causing an 11-meter (35—foot) -high
tsunami.

Dec. 26, 2004 - A magnitude-9.1 quake in Indonesia triggers an Indian Ocean tsunami, killing 230,000
people in a dozen countries.

March 28, 2005 - A magnitude-8.6 quake in northern Sumatra in Indonesia kills about 1,300 people.

Sept. 12, 2007 - A magnitude-8.5 quake near Sumatra in Indonesia kills at least 25 people.

Feb. 27, 2010 - A magnitude-8.8 quake shakes Chile, generating a tsunami and killing 524 people.

March 11, 2011 - A magnitude-9.0 quake off the northeast coast of Japan triggers a tsunami, killing more
than 18,000 people.

April 11, 2012 - A magnitude-8.6 quake off the west coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia triggers
tsunami warnings in more than two dozen nations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey