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Saturday, April 25, 2015
Wikipedia:2015 Nepal earthquake
If you click on the word button in the next line you likely will get the most updated version of the Nepal Tragedy on a daily or weekly basis depending upon what volunteers are available to compile reporting worldwide: 2015 Nepal earthquake
2015 Nepal earthquake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article documents a recent major earthquake. Information regarding it may change rapidly as it progresses. Although this article is updated frequently, it may not reflect the most current information about this earthquake for all areas. Initial news reports may be unreliable.
Nepal lies towards the southern limit of the diffuse collisional boundary where the Indian Plateunderthrusts the Eurasian Plate.[4] The convergence rate between the plates in central Nepal is about 45 mm (1.8 in) per year. The location, magnitude and focal mechanism of the earthquake suggest that it was caused by a slip along the Main Frontal Thrust.[1]
The earthquake's effects were amplified in Kathmandu as it is sited on
the Kathmandu Basin, which contains up to 600 m (2,000 ft) of sedimentary rocks, representing the infilling of a lake.[5]
Earthquake
Map of the earthquake and its aftershocks
The earthquake occurred on 25 April 2015 at 11:56 NST (6:11:26 UTC) at a depth of approximately 15 km (9.3 mi), with its epicenter approximately 34 km (21 mi) east-southeast of Lamjung, Nepal, lasting approximately twenty seconds.[6]
The earthquake was initially reported as 7.5 Mw by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) before it was quickly upgraded to 7.9 Mw and finally downgraded to 7.8 Mw. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported the earthquake's magnitude to be 8.1 Mw. The India Meteorological Department
said two powerful quakes were registered in Nepal at 06:11 UTC and
06:45 UTC. The first quake measured 7.9 points on the open-ended Richter
scale and its epicenter was identified at a distance of 80 km to the
northwest of the capital Kathmandu. The second earthquake was somewhat
less powerful at 6.6 points on the Richter scale. The seismic focus lay
at a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi) below the earth's surface. Bharatpur
was the nearest major city to the earthquake, 53 km (33 mi) from the
epicenter; this second earthquake occurred 81 km (50 mi) northwest of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Over twenty eight aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 Mw or greater occurred following the initial earthquake, including one of magnitude 6.6 Mw, which occurred a few minutes after the earthquake.[7]
There were at least 1,523 dead and more than 500 injured. At least
1457 died in Nepal while 52 died and over 200 were injured in the Indian
states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, 12 died in Tibet and 2 died in Bangladesh.[12][13][14][11]
The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 13 people at South Base Camp;[16] an Indian Army mountaineering team reportedly recovered 18 bodies.[17]Google engineer Dan Fredinburg, climbing with three other company employees and documenting the trek on social media, was among the casualties.[15]
From 700 to more than 1,000 people were thought to be on the mountain
at the time, with at least 30 injured and an unknown number missing or
trapped at higher altitudes.[16][17][18][19] A helicopter rescue operation was set to begin Sunday morning, April 26.[20] Mount Everest is approximately 220 kilometres (140 mi) east of the epicentre.
Buildings in the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site of Kathmandu Durbar Square reportedly collapsed,[6] as did the Dharahara tower, built in 1832, killing at least 180 people,[21][22][23][24] and Manakamana Temple located in Gorkha. The northern side of Janaki Mandir and Patan Durbar Square has been reported to be damaged.[25] All international air traffic has been cancelled but there were no reported deaths at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Response
As a rapid response Facebook launched and tested their newest application feature on Facebook called Facebook Safety Check. Nepalese people used this feature to the most and informed about their status by using this application.
Bangladesh — Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh expressed profound shock at the loss of lives in the earthquake,[26]
declared Bangladesh’s willingness to help Nepal tackle the catastrophe,
and asserted that the government of Bangladesh would provide medical
and humanitarian assistance to Nepal.[27]
Bhutan
— Bhutanese Economic Affairs Minister, Norbu Wangchuk, expressed his
condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk said that
the celebration of World Intellectual Property was to be suspended in
solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk added that there had been
no major damages in Bhutan.[28]
Canada — Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
issued a statement offering “heartfelt condolences to the people of
Nepal and northern India”, and “wish[ing] a speedy recovery to all those
injured”. The statement clarified that Canadian officials in the region
were “working with Nepalese and Indian authorities” to locate and
ensure the safety of any Canadians in the area, while also
“cooperat[ing] with international partners [to] assess the needs of the
affected populations to determine how Canada may most effectively assist
with the disaster if asked to help”.[29] No proactive offer of assistance was made.
China – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent messages of condolences to the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, and pledged to offer assistance.[30]Xi Jinping, the President of China, sent his condolences to Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and pledged to offer assistance.[31]
The China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) is scheduled to
deploy 68 of its members to Nepal via chartered plane in the early
morning of 26 April, Beijing time.[32]
Egypt
—Egypt expressed condolences to Nepal's government and people in an
official statement on Saturday 25 April, stressing that it stood with
Nepal in its diversity, paid respect to the victims, and wished the
wounded people a rapid recovery.[33]
Germany — On the day of the quake, the government of Germany pledged to provide assistance.[34]
India — Within 15 minutes of the quake,[35] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
had responded, directing immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams,
including medical teams to Nepal. By that same afternoon, ten teams of National Disaster Response Force had already arrived in Nepal; two additional Indian Air Force planes soon departed to join them with further aid.[36]
Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched a search and rescue team that included physicians to Nepal, and expressed Israel's willingness to assist in any way possible.[37]. Israeli Interior Minister Gilad Erdan, also affirmed that Israel would assist the families of 24 surrogate babies, 9 of them born prematurely, by evacuating them to India via helicopter, and flying them back to Israel to continue necessary bureaucratic procedures.[38]
Italy — Italy’s Foreign Ministry has made 300,000 euros available for emergency aid to Nepal.[39]
Japan — Within half a day of the quake, Japan had offered emergency assistance. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are sending 70 experts; they are scheduled to depart from Narita International Airport on 26 April, and will serve in Nepal for 7 days. The team includes experts from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency,
and JICA, along with rescuers, search and rescue dog handlers,
communication specialists, physicians, and field coordinators. The
Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Shapla Neer announced
on SNS that they have begun coordinating their emergency assistance.[40]
Monaco — On the day of the quake, Monaco indicated that it planned to send aid to Nepal "in the coming hours".[39]
Norway – On 25 April, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Norway would contribute NOK 30 million to Nepal.[42]
Pakistan – In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
expressed "his deep shock at the reports of massive earthquake that has
caused devastation in Nepal and Northern India this morning" and, on
behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, expressed "heartfelt
condolences and sympathies ... on the tragedy that has caused loss of
precious lives and properties". The statement also indicated that
Pakistan's diplomatic missions in India and Nepal had been directed "to
approach their respective host governments to ascertain the damages
caused and the requirement of relief assistance", while the National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan stood by.[43]
Later that day, Pakistan announced that it was sending four C-130
planes packed with life-saving emergency equipment—including a 30-bed
hospital, hundreds of beds and tents, and assorted relief items—along
with emergency personnel including physicians, and special search and
rescue teams with sniffer dogs.[44]
Russia — On 25 April, Russian PresidentVladimir Putin expressed condolences to President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, in connection with the loss of lives and destruction in various parts of Nepal due to the quake. Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations offered aid to Nepal in addressing the aftermath of the earthquake,[45]
and assembled a team of over 50 highly skilled rescue workers with
"expansive experience of operations in … areas struck by earthquakes",
including China, Haiti, and Turkey. The team was supplied with
"top-notch equipment enabling it to work autonomously", and made ready
to depart for Nepal "immediately".[46]
Singapore – On the day of the quake, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong penned a letter of condolence to Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, and dispatched a search and rescue team consisting of 55 members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force; officers from Singapore's police forces, including the Gurkha Contingent, also prepared to deploy disaster relief teams to the area. The government of Singapore "kick-started" the Singapore Red Cross' disaster relief drive with a contribution of $100,000.[47]
Spain — On the day of the quake, the government of Spain pledged to provide assistance.[34]
Sri Lanka
— The Government of Sri Lanka took steps to provide emergency relief to
those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. On 25 April, special Sri Lanka Air Force
flights departed for Nepal with a stock of emergency relief supplies,
along with groups of specialist physicians, other medical staff, and
medicines.[48]
United Kingdom – UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed condolences and offered assistance to Nepal.[49]
On 25 April, the UK dispatched a team of humanitarian aid experts to
the region, in order to determine the best approach to assisting those
affected.[50]
United States of America – On the day of the quake, the USA sent aid and released USD 1 million to assist with immediate needs.[51]
Facebook introduced a safety check feature where users either mark themselves or their friends and family as 'safe'.[53]
Google launched the Person Finder tool for locating persons missing after the earthquake.[54] A Google executive named Dan Fredinburg was killed after the earthquake triggered an avalanche at Mt. Everest.[55][56]
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
announced on 25 April that it was sending four teams of medical and
non-medical responders, along with 3000 kits of non-food items and
medical supplies to Nepal. The teams and equipment were expected to
arrive on the morning of 26 April.[59]
Oxfam undertook arrangements to send a team of "technical experts" to the region, with sanitation and water purification equipment.[60]
Secours populaire français, a French non-profit, allocated a first emergency fund of 50,000 euros to assist victims.[51]
Nepal
India
China
Bangladesh
United States
Bhutan — Bhutanese Economic Affairs Minister, Norbu Wangchuk, expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk said that the celebration of World Intellectual Property was to be suspended in solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk added that there had been no major damages in Bhutan.[28]
Canada — Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement offering “heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal and northern India”, and “wish[ing] a speedy recovery to all those injured”. The statement clarified that Canadian officials in the region were “working with Nepalese and Indian authorities” to locate and ensure the safety of any Canadians in the area, while also “cooperat[ing] with international partners [to] assess the needs of the affected populations to determine how Canada may most effectively assist with the disaster if asked to help”.[29] No proactive offer of assistance was made.
Egypt —Egypt expressed condolences to Nepal's government and people in an official statement on Saturday 25 April, stressing that it stood with Nepal in its diversity, paid respect to the victims, and wished the wounded people a rapid recovery.[33]
Germany — On the day of the quake, the government of Germany pledged to provide assistance.[34]
Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched a search and rescue team that included physicians to Nepal, and expressed Israel's willingness to assist in any way possible.[37]. Israeli Interior Minister Gilad Erdan, also affirmed that Israel would assist the families of 24 surrogate babies, 9 of them born prematurely, by evacuating them to India via helicopter, and flying them back to Israel to continue necessary bureaucratic procedures.[38]
Italy — Italy’s Foreign Ministry has made 300,000 euros available for emergency aid to Nepal.[39]
Japan — Within half a day of the quake, Japan had offered emergency assistance. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are sending 70 experts; they are scheduled to depart from Narita International Airport on 26 April, and will serve in Nepal for 7 days. The team includes experts from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, and JICA, along with rescuers, search and rescue dog handlers, communication specialists, physicians, and field coordinators. The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Shapla Neer announced on SNS that they have begun coordinating their emergency assistance.[40]
Malaysia – Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said his country ready to extend assistance to Nepal once the access to the Tribhuvan International Airport been reopened.[41]
Monaco — On the day of the quake, Monaco indicated that it planned to send aid to Nepal "in the coming hours".[39]
Norway – On 25 April, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Norway would contribute NOK 30 million to Nepal.[42]
Pakistan – In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed "his deep shock at the reports of massive earthquake that has caused devastation in Nepal and Northern India this morning" and, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, expressed "heartfelt condolences and sympathies ... on the tragedy that has caused loss of precious lives and properties". The statement also indicated that Pakistan's diplomatic missions in India and Nepal had been directed "to approach their respective host governments to ascertain the damages caused and the requirement of relief assistance", while the National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan stood by.[43] Later that day, Pakistan announced that it was sending four C-130 planes packed with life-saving emergency equipment—including a 30-bed hospital, hundreds of beds and tents, and assorted relief items—along with emergency personnel including physicians, and special search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs.[44]
Russia — On 25 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, in connection with the loss of lives and destruction in various parts of Nepal due to the quake. Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations offered aid to Nepal in addressing the aftermath of the earthquake,[45] and assembled a team of over 50 highly skilled rescue workers with "expansive experience of operations in … areas struck by earthquakes", including China, Haiti, and Turkey. The team was supplied with "top-notch equipment enabling it to work autonomously", and made ready to depart for Nepal "immediately".[46]
Singapore – On the day of the quake, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong penned a letter of condolence to Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, and dispatched a search and rescue team consisting of 55 members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force; officers from Singapore's police forces, including the Gurkha Contingent, also prepared to deploy disaster relief teams to the area. The government of Singapore "kick-started" the Singapore Red Cross' disaster relief drive with a contribution of $100,000.[47]
Spain — On the day of the quake, the government of Spain pledged to provide assistance.[34]
Sri Lanka — The Government of Sri Lanka took steps to provide emergency relief to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. On 25 April, special Sri Lanka Air Force flights departed for Nepal with a stock of emergency relief supplies, along with groups of specialist physicians, other medical staff, and medicines.[48]
United Kingdom – UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed condolences and offered assistance to Nepal.[49] On 25 April, the UK dispatched a team of humanitarian aid experts to the region, in order to determine the best approach to assisting those affected.[50]
European Union – Commissioner Christos Stylianides said the EU was closely following the situation and expressed solidarity.[52]
Media related to 2015 Nepal earthquake at Wikimedia Commons
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