A powerful earthquake struck Nepal Saturday, killing [2,200 people and counting] across four countries as the violently shaking earth collapsed houses, leveled centuries-old temples and triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest. It was the worst tremor to hit the poor South Asian nation in over 80 years.
(Al Jazeera, April 25, 2015)
This earthquake registered a 7.8 magnitude at its epicenter just northwest of Kathmandu. But, sadly, its aftershocks will continue far and wide for years. Not least because Nepal’s economy relies heavily on tourists trekking across and climbing up its affected Himalayan mountain range.
In point of fact, reports are that “an avalanche swept the face of Mt. Everest after the earthquake,” killing seventeen people and, ominously, trapping more than 1,000.
In the meantime, millions have been displaced or left homeless….
Earthquakes and other natural disasters should always remind us that there but for the grace of God… But there’s no denying that living in a relatively rich country increases one’s chance of surviving and recovering from such disasters tremendously…
It’s bad enough that accident of birth can consign one to a life of chronic poverty. It just seems unfair that even the wrath of Mother Nature affects the poor so disproportionately.
(“Killer earthquakes: First Haiti, now Chile,” The iPINIONS Journal, March 2, 2010)
Frankly, beyond urging you to donate to relief and recovery efforts here, I see no point in commenting any further.
My prayers and thoughts go out to all of the Godforsaken people affected … this time.
Related commentaries:
Killer earthquakes…
Haiti…