Sixth anniversary of Kashmir earthquake: rehabilitation continues

On October 8, 2005, Kashmir was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale resulting in widespread devastation and approximately 86,350 fatalities—making it the most fatal earthquake to occur in the Indian subcontinent.

At 8.50 in the morning the Himalayan region of northern Pakistan and Kashmir felt the quake, with its epicentre 19 kilometres northeast of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In addition to the enormous fatalities – 19,000 of which were children, approximately 138,000 were injured and over 3.5 million were left homeless as 780,000 buildings were either destroyed or damaged. Approximately 250,000 farm animals died and more than 500,000 required shelter from the harsh winter.

Due to the mountainous area, many landslides were triggered along the fault line. The landslides and rock falls added to the considerable damage as well as the disruption to roads, structures, and communities. The government of Pakistan estimated that more than 80% of the total destroyed buildings were located in rural regions. The largest concentration of destroyed or damaged buildings in cities occurred in Muzaffarabad and Balakot. The earthquake destroyed 782 health institutions and countless schools, estimated at about $614 million to rebuild.

After the quake in 2005, residents were severely affected by the harsh winter season. The upper regions of the Kashmir valley have already received the first snowfall this year as the winter months approach. Icy winds have begun blowing across south Kashmir.

Six years later, recovery and rebuilding continues. Pakistan Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani recently announced a number of mega projects in the region to continue the rehabilitation efforts. This includes a medical college in Muzaffarabad, a hydro-power station, a section of motorway from Murree to Muzaffarabad, a bridge connecting Dudyal to the Rawalpindi region, and a review of post-quake resettlement processes.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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