History – After the World Trade Centre

Earthquake Safety: Reducing Loss of Life and Property

Nepal lies in one of the most earthquake-prone regions of the world. The 1934 earthquake and the devastating Gorkha earthquake of 2015, which killed about nine thousand people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of houses, remind us that another strong earthquake is likely. We cannot stop earthquakes, but with proper preparation we can greatly reduce the loss they cause.

The government has the main responsibility. First, it must enforce the National Building Code strictly, so that new houses, schools and hospitals are built to resist earthquakes. Municipalities should not approve plans or give permits to buildings that do not follow the code. Second, old and weak buildings should be identified and retrofitted. Third, the government should prepare a clear disaster management plan, with trained rescue teams, emergency funds, stocks of food, tents and medicine, and quick communication systems. Fourth, it should include earthquake education in the school curriculum and hold regular drills. It should also use television, radio and mobile messages to spread awareness, and fund research and early-warning systems.

Individuals and families also have an important role. They should build or repair their houses with good materials and the help of trained masons and engineers, and avoid building on loose soil or steep slopes. Inside the home, heavy furniture and shelves should be fixed to the walls, and gas cylinders should be secured. Every family should keep an emergency bag containing water, dry food, a torch, a radio, first-aid items and important documents, and should agree on a safe meeting place. People should learn the rule "drop, cover and hold on" and know first aid. During shaking, they should protect their head under a strong table, stay away from windows, and move to an open space when the shaking stops. Communities can form volunteer groups and help the elderly and disabled.

In conclusion, the damage of an earthquake depends less on the earthquake than on our preparedness. If the government builds safe infrastructure and educates people, and every individual takes simple precautions, we can save many lives and property.

She is suspected of stealing money.

"Suspected" takes the preposition "of".

He had a good breakfast before he set out.

The action of having breakfast happened before another past action ("set out"), so the past perfect or simple past is needed; "had" is the suitable form.

His house is on the way from Itahari to Biratnagar.

The fixed expression is "on the way".

The thief escaped through the tunnel that was buried about five feet beneath the surface.

"Through" shows movement from one end of an enclosed passage to the other.

We will be having dinner then.

The future continuous is used for an action that will be in progress at a particular time (between 8 and 9 a.m.).

She always goes to school on foot.

"On foot" is a fixed expression meaning by walking.

By coming Bhadra, we will have got our exam result.

The future perfect is used for an action that will be completed by a certain time in the future.

at

Don't stare at me. I have no mistake.

The verb stare takes the preposition at.

to

Dipti loved Dipesh but she married to Rahul.

Of the given options, to is the one that fits (be married to someone). In careful usage the verb marry needs no preposition at all (she married Rahul).

will have used

By the end of this decade, we will have used more electric vehicles than fuel vehicles.

By the end of a future time calls for the future perfect tense.

on

She goes to office on foot.

On foot is the fixed phrase meaning walking.

These leaders have great respect for the academicians of the country.

The noun "respect" takes the preposition "for".

The culprit came out of office, walked across the road and got on a bus.

"Out of" shows movement from inside to outside, which suits someone leaving the office.