Nepal earthquake: The longest 40 seconds of my life

Looking at the mass of people camping in the streets, it’s incredible that such a short event could wreak such havoc

Mark South
Tuesday 28 April 2015 13:34 BST
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Local people gather at the top of large mound where once stood a temple to view the scene of devastation in Kathmandu
Local people gather at the top of large mound where once stood a temple to view the scene of devastation in Kathmandu

You can never predict the kind of impact an earthquake of such magnitude will have on a densely populated urban area. The quake struck just before noon – it was the longest 40 seconds of my life. Looking at the mass of people camping in the streets, it’s incredible that such a short event could wreak such havoc.

The park in the centre of town, host to a mass yoga celebration on Saturday morning, is now a mass of bedraggled tarpaulins, where thousands are sheltering from the rain, and the threat of aftershocks. Even as I write this, small quakes are continuing, increasing the trauma and constantly playing on everyone’s minds.

Despite the shock of the big quake, within minutes, the Nepal Red Cross search and rescue teams set to work, and are now being joined by teams from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. With unknown numbers still trapped beneath the rubble, the priority remains to get to them as soon as possible. The debris, landslides and aftershocks make it all the harder for the rescue teams.

For the survivors, the most immediate needs are medical assistance, food, shelter and water. It has been raining since last night and is expected to continue for the coming days. For the thousands living out in the open, afraid to go home– or having lost their homes outright – shelter is a priority.

I have been in Kathmandu for the last 18 months working on an earthquake preparedness programme. We have been working in 66 communities across the Kathmandu valley, teaching people how to better prepare and how to protect themselves.

It is going to be devastating to see what has become of their homes, and their livelihoods. You can prepare, but nothing could have stopped this from happening. It was a massive quake, very strong but also very shallow and the impact has been enormous. But our staff and volunteers will be here, helping the communities our members and volunteers are drawn from to pick up the pieces.

Mark South is in Kathmandu for the British Red Cross

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