Nepal begins reconstruction in 11 quake-hit districts
One year after a massive earthquake devastated Nepal, the country's National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has formally undertaken the charge of reconstructing the collapsed houses in 11 of the 14 quake-affected districts. NRA has announced the names of some 3,00,981 beneficiaries who were displaced by the earthquake. Ram Prasad Thapaliya, NRA spokesperson, said that houses are already being rebuilt in Ramechhap district.
Earthquake in Nepal kills 9000, injures 21,000
The 2015 Nepal earthquake or Gorkha earthquake, which occurred on 25 April with a surface wave magnitude of 8.1, had claimed the lives of over 9,000 and injured more than 21,000 people. The quake's epicenter was at Barpal, Gorkha while its hypocenter was at a depth of 8.2 kilometers. Aftershocks continued to occur at intervals of 15-20 minutes and increased the risk of landslides.
Deadliest day in the history of Mount Everest
The deadliest natural disaster in Nepal since the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake had also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, which killed 21 people, and in Langtang valley where over 250 people were reportedly missing.
Nepal finally passes long-delayed reconstruction bill
Nepal Parliament had passed the long-delayed bill to hurry reconstruction in quake-hit areas of 14 districts and aid the displaced victims in Nepal. With the approval of the Reconstruction Authority Bill, the reconstruction and rehabilitation works in Nepal were to be expedited. International donors, who had pledged over $4.4 billion aid to Nepal after the massive quake, earlier expressed concern over delaying the bill.
Reconstruction campaign kicks off in worst-affected areas
Ram Prasad Thapaliya said that NRA recently recruited over 2,400 engineers to help quake survivors in reconstructing earthquake-resilient houses, and resources are being mobilized for the same. Until now, reconstruction was confined to Singati in Dolakha district, but now NRA expanded the campaign after surveying over 7,10,000 households in affected districts. The Nepal-government initiated the mega-reconstruction campaign in various districts including Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk.
Reconstruction of world cultural heritages
Top leaders of major Nepali political parties are expected to inaugurate the reconstruction work of cultural heritages in the country at a programme conducted by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Kathmandu scheduled for 25 April 2016.
PM lays floral wreath on first tragedy anniversary
On the occasion of the first anniversary of 2015 earthquake, PM Oli laid a floral wreath in Kathmandu in memory of those who lost their lives during the quake. Government officials including deputy prime ministers, state ministers, NRA CEO, chief secretary, security chiefs and others extended their condolences to the quake-victims. Assessment for reconstruction of damaged houses is yet to begin in Kathmandu valley.
Donors renew aid to Nepal’s reconstruction
Major donors and Red Cross have renewed their support to Nepal as it commemorated the first anniversary of the country's biggest tragedy. European Partners comprising the Europen Union, UK, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, France and others have jointly pledged €328.75 million for Nepal's reconstruction efforts. Donor community including India, China, Japan, Asian Development Bank, World Bank has pledged $4 billion to support Nepal.
