Skip to main content

Nepal’s earthquake devastation revealed

Reports from Nepal highlight the devastation the country has suffered due to its recent massive earthquake. Measuring an enormous 7.8 on the Richter scale, the quake has demolished many buildings in capital Kathmandu, as well as damaging roads and other infrastructure. This was followed by a series of aftershocks, one of which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale. World Highways correspondent Ram Krishna Wagle reports that with many road links to other towns severely damaged, this is hampering the relief eff
April 30, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Reports from Nepal highlight the devastation the country has suffered due to its recent massive earthquake. Measuring an enormous 7.8 on the Richter scale, the quake has demolished many buildings in capital Kathmandu, as well as damaging roads and other infrastructure. This was followed by a series of aftershocks, one of which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale.

3260 World Highways correspondent Ram Krishna Wagle reports that with many road links to other towns severely damaged, this is hampering the relief efforts right across the country. In some instances, only helicopters can be used to access the country’s more remote areas, but flights have been limited due to poor weather.
The photos show the damage to the Kathmandu Ringroad - Airport section and also the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Road Section.

The fatality rate arising from the earthquake has now topped 5,500 while a further 11,000 are known to have been seriously injured. But with remote villages in many of the worst affected areas still to be contacted, the toll of dead and injured is almost certainly likely to climb higher. Aid is being provided from neighbouring China and India, as well as from Europe and the US, but considerably more international assistance is required. Equipment manufacturer 255 JCB has supplied a number of backhoe loaders and generators to aid in the rescue work but far more heavy equipment is required.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Australia’s road safety crisis as crashes increase
    December 22, 2016
    Increases in the numbers of road crashes and road deaths are giving cause for concern in Australia. The gain in the country’s road fatality rate is of note as it comes after a 40 year period in which those killed or seriously injured (KSI) have been reducing. Certain sections of the country’s road network have been identified as being of particular risk to drivers, with moves in hand to improve safety. The Australian Automobile Association has revealed that there were 15,339 crashes in the country that resu
  • Japanese funds aid Nepal
    March 14, 2012
    The Japanese Government is providing funds to help Nepal build 33 bridges to connect villages with the Sindhuli Road.
  • Mexico introduces new professional roles to address road safety
    June 24, 2013
    *Ana Maria de la Parra introduces the new external road operation supervisors and fatal accident appraisers who could make a vital contribution to improving the efficiency and safety of highways in middle-income countries like Mexico. Sometimes it is difficult to pin down the perception of a country like Mexico in the popular international mindset. Visitors travelling to Mexico City for the first time are often amazed by its size. They are also frequently taken aback by how unexpectedly advanced it is in te
  • Papua New Guinea mends its bridges
    February 28, 2022
    Under the latest tranche of the Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme, 45 of the estimated 71 bridges will be completely replaced.