Case Study for Earthquakes: Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal is and LIC. The earthquake occured during the April of 2015, from the 25th onwards. It had a magnitude of 7.8 (for the initial earthquake) with many aftershocks, some of which measured 6.7 or higher on the Richter scale. It was shallow, only 10km underground. The earthquake occured in the Himalayas but had huge impacts in Kathmandu.There were initially reported to be 1000 fatalities however not all had been reported at the time. 

Primary impacts in Kathmandu...

• over 180 buildings reduced to rubble
• historic and religious buildings destroyed
• $10 billion of damage caused

Secondary impacts in Kathmandu...

• thousands of people had to sleep outside due to homelessness
• 19000+ people were injured
• public facilities (e.g. schools, hospitals, government buildings) forced to close
• 8635 people were killed
• people in Kathmandu found it hard…