Kathmandu, April 21 -- The 7.2M Taiwan earthquake on 3 April was a reminder for us here in Nepal about the importance of preparation with up to code infrastructure, earthquake early warning sensors hooked to mobile networks, seismic risk education in schools, and swift emergency response.

Although 13 people were killed, readiness saved lives. Skyscrapers shook and swayed but did not fall, high-rises tilted but did not collapse. A similar intensity earthquake in Taiwan in 1999 had killed 2,400 people.

This week marks nine years since Nepal's 2015 earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 people. It has been four months since a 6.4M quake struck Jajarkot and West Rukum near midnight on 3 November, claiming 153 lives.

In the immediate after...