Earthquake risk management action plan: the Kathmandu Valley

Earthquakes are an unavoidable part of Kathmandu Valley’s future, just as they have been a part of its past. However, a large earthquake near the Kathmandu Valley today would cause significantly greater human loss, physical damage, and economic crisis than caused by past earthquakes. With the valley’s burgeoning population of almost 1 1/2 million people, uncontrolled development, and a construction practice that has actually degraded over this century, the valley is becoming increasingly vulnerable to earthquakes with each passing year. Despite this growing risk, there is no organized approach to managing earthquake risk in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal’s political, economic, administrative, and cultural capital. This plan begins the process of managing that risk. The purpose of this plan is to assist the Government of Nepal, concerned agencies, and the municipalities in Kathmandu Valley to reduce Kathmandu Valley’s earthquake risk over time by identifying, coordinating and focusing risk management activities. This document outlines objectives, strategies, and specific initiatives to fulfil this purpose. It also provides background information on Kathmandu Valley’s risk from earthquakes, the current status of earthquake risk management in Kathmandu Valley, and the development process of this plan. The National Society for Earthquake Technology – Nepal (NSET) has taken responsibility for creating and implementing this plan. NSET, a multidisciplinary professional society, promotes awareness of earthquake risk and implementation of seismic risk reduction projects in Nepal.