Via Collaboration with the USGS
Sweta Singh Sijapati, RYN 2024 Fellow
Nepal is highly prone to various natural hazards, particularly floods, landslides, and earthquakes 2004 World Bank and United Nations report assessed global disaster vulnerability. In that report, Nepal was ranked 11th regarding earthquake vulnerability and 16th for multi-hazard vulnerability. The 2023 reports by UNDRR and other organizations emphasize the increasing threats posed by climate-induced disasters, alongside earthquakes, particularly in the context of Nepal's urban infrastructure, which is often not built to withstand such hazards.
Nepal does not yet have a fully established and reliable Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) on a national scale. Efforts are underway to develop such systems in the country, especially due to Nepal's high seismic risk located in a tectonically active region along the Himalayan belt and its forelands, such as Sindupalchok. However, existing early warning systems are piecemeal and typically limited in scope, restricted to a single area or category of hazard like flood. Furthermore, these systems frequently overlook the needs of the general public and do not offer a comprehensive end-to-end that addresses resilience beginning with early warning systems through disaster recovery.
The 2015 constitution of Nepal has given considerably more power to local governments than was historically the case, making them responsible for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). This means that disaster management at the municipal, ward, and community levels is not as strong as it could be due to limited financial and labor resources, and centralized planning. Nevertheless, initiatives are underway that could help improve the effectiveness of EWS.
Most notably, the Nepal Earthquake Early Warning (NepalEEW) project began in 2021 to detect the early stages of earthquakes, issue alerts, and provide critical time for users to seek cover or exit a building before shaking arrives. In 2022, the team finished the first phase of the project during which they deployed a total number of 20 OpenEEW stations in central Nepal. The stations are located from Tatopani/Beni on the west to Kathmandu on the east. So far, the network has recorded two small earthquakes, one located near the town of Kushma (M 3.2), and the other event was north of Besisahar (M 3.6). Both earthquakes were well recorded by the network and characterized in less than 10 seconds after their origin time.
Unfortunately, these systems are often built with low resilience capacity and are poorly coordinated. during the last 12 months, the team faced many station disconnections mainly due to issues with power and internet. The project team is testing the feasibility of EEW in central Nepal by establishing a low-cost real-time earthquake monitoring system based on OpenEEW technology. However, their seismic stations use local sources of electricity and internet over Wi-Fi, which seems to be the biggest challenge of the project yet.
A collaboration between the Nepalese government and the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) is a great idea because it could help mitigate earthquake risks in Sindhupalchok as it becomes more urban and developed. A possible strategy that the government can take is the robust implementation of building codes for earthquake-resistant structures and the establishment of a comprehensive seismic monitoring system for early warning and preparedness. Some non-government and humanitarian organizations with extensive activities in community-based EWS include Practical Action, Mercy Corps, and the Nepal Red Cross Society. Their major activities include the development of early warning systems at the local level. Often, once the project implementation phase ends, maintaining and operating the EWS becomes challenging for local communities.
Moreover, the USGS can provide training programs and workshops for Nepalese scientists, engineers, and emergency responders. These programs could cover the operation and maintenance of seismic networks, data interpretation, and early warning systems. This would build local capacity and ensure Nepal can independently manage its earthquake monitoring systems. This partnership could help Nepal enhance its earthquake monitoring and early warning systems by leveraging the expertise and technology of the USGS, particularly through the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
USGS can share its advanced seismic monitoring technologies, such as ShakeAlert and ShakeCast, with Nepal. This would allow Nepal to build or upgrade its earthquake monitoring network, improving real-time data collection and analysis. Advocate for a long-term partnership that includes regular updates on technology advancements and ongoing training opportunities. This would keep Nepal’s earthquake preparedness measures up to date and ensure sustained collaboration between the two countries.
About the Author:
Sweta Singh Sijapati is an undergraduate social work student at St. Xavier's College in Kathmandu, Nepal. As a Project Manager at We for Us, she is dedicated to empowering youth and actively engaged in various social initiatives to make a difference in her community.
References
https://soscbaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/reconstructing-nepal-sindhupalchowk-hybrid-construction-and-financial-flows.pdf -Bina Limbu | Manoj Suji | Jeevan Baniya Prakash Chandra Subedi | Nabin Rawal
https://preparecenter.org/sites/default/files/disaster-early-warning-systems-in-nepal-institutional-and-operational-frameworks-2167-0587-1000196_1.pdf - Shesh Kanta Kafle
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