Nepal: Earthquake - Aug 1988
Disaster description
A strong earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the richter scale, occurred on 20 August at 23.09 GMT near the Nepal/India border about 160 kms south-east of Kathmandu. The first reports from Nepal indicated that the worst affected areas were Daharan/Dhankuta/Terathum/Panchthar/Ilam/Morang and Bhaktapur in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley. (UN DHA, 22 August 1988)
WHO/Ministry of Health estimated that 60,000 persons were affected in the eastern region. (UN DHA, 23 August 1988). Field reports indicated that nearly 18,000 houses/public buildings were destroyed or unsafe and needed to be demolished. (UN DHA, 29 August 1988). The Home Ministry confirmed that 708 people died and 1,013 were injured, of which 535 were serious. (UN DHA, 1 September 1988)