One Year After the Nepal Earthquakes

Almost a year after the April 25 earthquake that hit Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring hundreds others, National Reconstruction Authority is set to start post-quake reconstruction work from tomorrow. The day for starting the reconstruction work coincides with National Earthquake Safety Day being observed to mark the massive destruction caused by the devastating 1933 earthquake in Nepal. There was delay in the passage of the reconstruction bill by Parliament due to disagreement over the issue among major political parties, prolonging the post-quake reconstruction work. The authority said that the Central Bureau of Statistics has started surveying the damage caused by the quake in Dolakha and Rasuwa as part of channelling donations provided by various donors to reconstruct damaged structures. Authority Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali said preparations were under way to begin the reconstruction work after completing the survey within one month. Likewise, the authority has started providing formal and informal training on reconstruction work at the local level.