Poonhill Trekking

Nepal three years after the earthquake

Nepal three years after the earthquake | Three years on 

Three years have passed since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal causing around 9000 deaths and half a million families lost their homes. Apr 25, 2018 marks the third year of devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal. The earthquake destroyed around 8,00,000 homes in Nepal, World heritage sites in Kathmandu, Langtang and Manaslu trekking trails and triggered avalanche on Everest base camp resulting in death of climbers waiting for their final rotation of higher camps before their summit bid.  The Apr 25, 2015 earthquake was the biggest earthquake to struck Nepal after 80 years. On Jan 15, 1934 an earthquake with 8 magnitude struck Nepal.

Nepal three years after the earthquake still continues to recover and rebuild but it has remained a paradise for mountain lovers. Nepal is home to eight of the 10th highest mountain in the world and arguably on the finest trekking and climbing destination in the world.

Nepal sits on the boundary of the two massive tectonic plates that collided to build the Himalayas. Their ongoing convergence also means earthquakes. According to the USGS, the earthquake was caused by a sudden thrust, or release of built-up stress, along the major fault line where the Indian Plate, carrying India, is slowly diving underneath the Eurasian Plate, carrying much of Europe and Asia. Kathmandu, situated on a block of crust approximately 120 km (74 miles) wide and 60 km (37 miles) long, reportedly shifted 3 m (10 ft) to the south in a matter of just 30 seconds.

Nepal three years after the earthquake, reconstruction works are still visible on heritage sites in Kathmandu and on many houses outside Kathmandu valley. The government identified 708,000 families whose homes had been damaged and set up a $3,000 cash subsidy program to encourage them to construct homes that would withstand future seismic shocks. Three years later, just 15 per cent have been rebuilt under the $2.1 billion scheme. Government conducted safety audit as well to assure the local and foreigners of the safety.

Tourists arrival in Nepal dip down to 5,38,970 in 2015 from 7,90,118 in 2014 after the earthquake. Tourism industry which contributes almost 8% of the gross domestic project has bounced back significantly in 2017 with growth rate of 29% compared to 2016.  

Year            No of tourists
2014:               7,90,118
2015:               5,38,970
2016:               7,53,002
2017:               9,40,000

Looking for an adventure in Nepal? Have a look at our wide range of holiday packages from high altitude expeditions, peak climbing, trekking and tour in Nepal. 

 

 

About Author

Highland Expeditions is a high altitude adventure travel company based in Kathmandu, Nepal founded by local alpine experts with over 30 years of experience in trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas.

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