KATHMANDU: Nepal is observing the 26th National Earthquake Safety Day, an annual event held on January 16 to heighten social awareness about constructing secure housing and mitigating potential earthquake risks.

This day holds particular significance due to the devastating earthquake that occurred on Magh 2, 1990 BS in Nepal, prompting a commitment to learning from the past and fostering earthquake-resilient communities.

Since January 16, 1999, the government has consistently marked Earthquake Safety Day with the primary objective of raising public awareness about earthquake risk reduction and promoting the construction of safe housing nationwide, including the federal capital, Kathmandu.

In the pursuit of rebuilding earthquake-damaged structures and minimizing seismic risks, the government, alongside concerned agencies and organizations, has implemented various programs aimed at spreading awareness on this day.

This year’s central theme is ‘Use Local Resources and Technology, Build an Earthquake-resistant Structure.’

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, announced a formal ceremony for Earthquake Protection Day in Chandragiri today, hosted by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Similar events will take place in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

A main ceremony committee, chaired by the Home Minister, has been formed to ensure the success of the day.

The Authority has also scheduled a three-day national conference starting today to address earthquake preparedness and risk reduction.

Reflecting on the catastrophic event that occurred on Magh 2, 1990 BS, a seismic jolt measuring 8.4 on the magnitude scale struck at 2:24 in the afternoon, resulting in substantial human and economic losses.

Senior seismologist Lok Bijay Adhikari of the National Earthquake Measurement and Research Center said that 8,519 lives were lost, with eighty thousand houses and 2,072 structures, including schools, shrines, party houses, and public buildings, being destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Gorkha-centric earthquake in 2015 claimed 8,670 lives, leaving many injured, and damaging over seven lakh houses.