Nepal is no stranger to powerful earthquakes, as its position along the seismically active Himalayas makes it particularly vulnerable. Here are some of the most notable quakes that have shaken the country:
1934 Nepal-Bihar Earthquake
Magnitude: 8.0
Date: January 15, 1934
Impact: Known as the 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake, this massive tremor led to widespread devastation in both Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar. Thousands of lives were lost, and essential infrastructure was left in ruins.
1988 Nepal Earthquake
Magnitude: 6.9
Date: August 21, 1988
Impact: Eastern Nepal bore the brunt of this earthquake, including the city of Biratnagar. It resulted in considerable damage, loss of life, and economic hardship for the area.
2015 Nepal Earthquake
Magnitude: 7.8
Date: April 25, 2015
Impact: The Gorkha earthquake of 2015 is one of the most catastrophic events in modern Nepalese history. Widespread destruction ensued, with close to 9,000 fatalities and over 22,000 injured. Numerous historic landmarks, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, suffered severe damage.
2015 Sindhupalchowk-Dolakha Earthquake
Magnitude: 7.3
Date: May 12, 2015
Impact: This quake coincided with an aftershock and predominantly affected the districts of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.
Given Nepal's geographic luck of the draw, earthquakes are an inevitable part of life. These past events underscore the need for ongoing preparedness and construction of resilient infrastructure in this vulnerable region.