Rotarians for Earthquake Safer Cities
The 1483rd Regular Meeting of the Rotary Club of Yala was held on 31st October 2025 at Hotel Goodwill, Lalitpur.
The main agenda of the meeting was a talk program on “Rotarians for Earthquake Safer Cities” delivered by Rtn. Er. Jagadiswar Man Shrestha, a specialist in structural design and construction. He holds an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering from the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University (1998).
Er. Shrestha gave an in-depth presentation on the history of earthquakes in Nepal, their frequency, impacts, destruction caused, the present tendency of avoidance of following proper structural and construction methods, safety measures, and the importance of using quality materials and workmanship in construction.
He also highlighted that Nepal lies in a seismically active zone. Historical data shows that major earthquakes occur irregularly, with intervals ranging from 37 to 176 years, debunking the myth that they occur precisely every 100 years.
To minimize future risks and damage from earthquakes, we must prioritize preparedness and adopt resilient construction practices. The key to reducing infrastructure damage lies in improving the quality of design and construction, which ultimately saves lives during earthquakes and other disasters.
He presented a compelling comparison using the 2015 (2072 BS) earthquake (magnitude 7.6, casualties 8857) and the historical 1934 (1990 BS) earthquake (magnitude 8.2, casualties 8519)
Furthermore, he provided essential guidance on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake to enhance personal safety and community resilience.
