Letters: Lessons from a tragedy

This refers to the editorial "Preparing for tragedies" (April 27). While the Himalayan nation is engaged in the rescue operation on a war footing in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, media reported a visit by a group of social scientists a week ago to Nepal to assess the quake-resistant measures. One of the experts said that a natural disaster was waiting to happen any time soon. This is a shocking revelation.

Considering Nepal is a mountainous region and earthquake-prone, if seismic-resistant initiatives were adhered to in urban planning, the lives of more than 3,000 people and the loss of property, including the tourist landmark Dharahara Tower and the Patan Durbar Square - a world heritage site - could have been easily saved. Perhaps, India could learn a lesson or two from this episode.

R Prabhu Raj Chennai

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