Natural hazards and environmental implications in Nepal

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the published information on natural hazards and their implications in the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The published data/information on natural hazards were collected and analyzed.

Findings

An analysis of the disaster data (1983‐2003) showed that a total of 1,063 lives on an average were claimed by natural calamities (earthquake, landslide, flood, fire, windstorm, epidemics and avalanche) each year. Water‐induced (flood and landslide) disasters alone contributed to 31.8 percent of the total deaths. Epidemics claimed the maximum number of deaths (55.9 percent) especially in the post‐disaster period. Many of these epidemics occurred due to the contamination of the drinking water sources by flash floods, and landslides. Poor sanitation, unsafe water and unhealthy living conditions contributed to major outbreaks of water‐borne diseases especially in the monsoon period claiming numerous lives.

Originality/value

Published information on natural hazards and implications on environment is limited. This paper integrated and analyzed 21 years of disaster data. A discussion of environmental implication is provided.

Citation

Pokhrel, D., Bhandari, B.S. and Viraraghavan, T. (2009), "Natural hazards and environmental implications in Nepal", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 18 No. 5, pp. 478-489. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560911003679