The frequency of earthquakes in Nepal’s Sudurpaschim province has significantly increased, with the Bajura district alone recording 16 tremors since October 2022. This past Saturday, a 5.2-magnitude quake that shook the district inflicted huge damage in Jagannath Rural Municipality. According to official data, 108 houses were destroyed while 460 saw minor damages. In addition, public infrastructure such as 24 schools, 11 health posts, and all six ward offices in the rural municipality were hit. Thankfully, no human casualties were reported.

However, the fact that 50 families in the severely affected Darji settlement are now living under tarpaulins is concerning. The authorities are still collecting data on the damage in order to distribute additional relief materials. Unfortunately, in the wake of earthquakes, people also die due to delays in distributing housing aid. Conditions worsen in the biting winter cold, as tents do not provide people with enough warmth. Lest we forget, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Jajarkot district last year, almost 35 earthquake-displaced individuals succumbed to the cold. People are also vulnerable in such temporary shelters, as there are concerns over security and sanitation. These places also become hotspots for communicable diseases.

Even though the state’s post-quake recovery programmes have been somewhat satisfactory in the country, long-term solutions to mitigate the severity of this natural occurrence are still lacking, as are provisions to ensure the bare minimum in temporary shelters. Due to frequent jolts, most houses in earthquake-affected areas of the province—Jajarkot, Rukum West, Rukum East, Salyan, Rolpa, Nawalparasi East, Dailekh, Baitadi, Jumla, Kalikot and Pyuthan districts—are either fully damaged or at high risk. In many cases, the disaster victims go back to damaged houses as temporary huts cannot protect them. Yet, budgetary provisions for the construction of permanent ones are inadequate.

According to the Temporary Housing Construction Grant Procedures for Earthquake-2023, the federal government provides only Rs50,000 in two tranches to each house that is completely or partially damaged—an insufficient amount to rebuild safe, earthquake-resistant homes. Similarly, the jolts have damaged the old and traditional houses made of mud and stones that do not adhere to engineering standards and the National Building Code.

Experts point to the necessity of encouraging quake victims to retrofit their houses by providing a certain grant alongside those for building new houses. Scientific studies indicate that the frequent tremors in Sudurpaschim Province are signs of accumulating tectonic stress and that a massive temblor cannot be ruled out. It is high time our authorities at all levels became alert, expedited furnishing works on old homes and enforced strict building codes. It is also vital to prepare for disasters beforehand, examine whether houses are inhabitable, and spread awareness on the importance of earthquake-resilient houses.

Apart from these long-term solutions, officials must give up their wait-and-see approach to disaster management and help quake victims in Bajura in building permanent homes with adequate budgets and resources. Clean water, nutritious food, sanitation facilities and sufficient warm clothes should be ensured while victims are in tents. Deployment of health teams to assess and address potential disease outbreaks in temporary camps is crucial too. No more lives should be lost because of very preventable post-disaster mismanagement.