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Nepal Fault Lines

Nepal Fault Lines

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 This episode explores the devastating 2015 earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 people and exposed Nepal's deep vulnerabilities. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on April 25th, toppling UNESCO World Heritage sites including Kathmandu's iconic Dharahara Tower and ancient temples. The village of Langtang was completely obliterated by avalanches, while rural areas faced widespread destruction. The disaster revealed how corruption and poor construction practices had made Nepal's infrastructure dangerously vulnerable - building codes existed but were routinely ignored by developers and inadequately enforced by officials. The earthquake struck during political instability, hampering coordinated disaster response. While international aid poured in, coordination problems at Kathmandu's overwhelmed airport delayed crucial assistance. The government's response was widely criticized as slow and disorganized, though local communities demonstrated remarkable resilience through grassroots relief efforts. The disaster highlighted stark inequalities, as wealthy residents recovered faster than poor rural communities. Reconstruction has been slow and uneven, raising complex questions about rebuilding cultural heritage sites with earthquake-resistant technology while preserving historical authenticity. The episode examines how natural disasters intersect with human choices about governance, development, and social priorities.
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