Earthquake Memorial Assembly held in Bhugol Park

Kathmandu, Jan 16 : Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has pointed out the need to build safe infrastructures to mitigate the risks of earthquakes.

At the 21st Memorial Assembly held at Bhugol Park in Kathmandu today to remember the people killed in various earthquakes in the country, Minister Thapa reiterated that the safe building and a common commitment from all towards it were the best ideas to protect ourselves from the risk of the quake.

Memorial Assembly has been observed in memory of those killed in the 8.1 magnitude earthquake on January 16, 1934 where more than 9,000 people were killed and more than 200,000 buildings were damaged.

On the occasion, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya urged the construction agencies cooperate in the implementation of the building code.

He clarified that permissions need to be obtained from the KMC to build any building, be it government or private.

Similarly, KMC’s Disaster Management Committee’s Coordinator Nilkaji Shakya shared that the efforts raising awareness on earthquake and making citizens feel safe were gaining momentum in each ward of the KMC.

The Memorial Day has been observed to spread awareness about the earthquake in the next generation so that none has to suffer loss of lives and properties due to the quakes.

Earthquake Safety Day is being celebrated in Nepal since 1999 to spread awareness about earthquake safety methods after the country was devastated in the 1934 earthquake.

On the occasion, a book containing important telephone numbers published by the Department of Disaster Management was unveiled. (RSS)