Far-West at a high risk of earthquakes

Dhangadhi: A preliminary study conducted by UNDP has shown that Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city is at a high risk of earthquake. The study showed that two wards of Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan are at a risk of earthquakes. 15 percent houses in Ward No. 1 and 2 of Dhangadhi are the most vulnerable. A survey conducted on 2,200 households in Ward No. 1 and 2 has shown that 315 households are at high risk of earthquakes. Biraj Pokharel, city-level technical officer of Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city, said that Seti Provincial Hospital is the most vulnerable from the point of view of earthquake safety.

According to the preliminary study conducted a few days ago, Ward No. 1 and 2 are at high seismic risk, Seti Provincial Hospital is at the highest risk. None of the public institutions including hospitals and schools here are safe from earthquakes, he said. Since there has not been a major earthquake in this area for 500 years, the seismic force has accumulated. It has been seen from the preliminary study that the risk should be faced at any time until an earthquake of 8.6 Richter scale occurs. Even now, 98 percent of households in the Far-West are not earthquake-proof. In Dhangadhi, many buildings and houses have been constructed without prior approval of their blueprint from the government. The technician warns that it can cause damage at any time. The risk of earthquakes seems to increase further due to non-compliance of building codes. Population density is increasing in Dhangadhi. There are hundreds of physical structures that are 40/50 years old. The study suggests that you should be aware of this topic in time.

The most sensitive district in Far-West is Bajhang. It is estimated that an earthquake of more than 8 Richter scale can occur there. Experts have said that the damage will affect the daily supply system through Dhangadhi to India. The Far-West remains at high risk until an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 occurs. "It is not possible to estimate when and how often an earthquake will occur, high precautions should be taken from now on," says senior seismologist Lokvijay Adhikari, "The earthquake force is concentrated in the west, more problems may occur in the urban areas of the western region."