Nepal Earthquake Leaves at Least 150 Dead, Exposes Need for Improved Construction Codes and Preparations for Larger Quake

Poor Implementation of Building Regulations and Ongoing Struggles with Climate Change Leave Vulnerable Nation Unprepared for Seismic Disasters, with Thousands Left Homeless After 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Remote, Seismically Active Zones.

The earthquake on Friday, categorised as medium intensity, struck remote regions in Nepal's west that have been marked as seismically vulnerable. Reportedly, the area had not seen sufficient safety measures since previously being struck by earthquakes.
Scientists have expressed concerns about the country's lack of preparedness for larger quakes, noting that Nepal is far behind in enforcing construction codes, despite resting on two major tectonic fault lines.
The earthquake resulted in significant damage, with at least 5,000 homes destroyed or damaged. Many residents had to spend nights under the open sky due to fear of aftershocks after their homes were damaged.
Nepal's ongoing struggle with climate change, including melting glaciers leading to flooding and impacting water available for agriculture, further exacerbates the country's vulnerability to natural disasters.
The government's efforts to enforce building codes, in particular for houses made of mud and stone, have been largely unsuccessful, leading to an abundance of buildings that lack resistance to earthquakes.