# Earthquake Safety in Nepal: What Travellers Should Know

_Published 3 August 2026_

Nepal sits where the Indian plate pushes under the Eurasian plate, the force that built the Himalaya. Earthquakes are part of life here. Major quakes are rare, but knowing what to do keeps you safer.

**Quick answer:** indoors, **drop, cover and hold on** under sturdy furniture, away from windows. Outdoors, move away from buildings, walls and power lines. On a trek, keep clear of slopes and cliffs where landslides or rockfall can occur. Register with your embassy, keep your phone charged and share your plans.

## Before you travel

- Register with your country's embassy travel service.
- Get travel insurance covering emergencies.
- Share your itinerary with family and your trekking company.
- Keep a small emergency kit: torch, water, snacks, first aid and a power bank.

## During an earthquake

- **Indoors:** drop, take cover under a sturdy table and hold on; stay away from windows and heavy objects.
- **Outdoors:** move to open ground away from buildings and walls.
- **In old city areas:** watch for falling bricks and carvings from temples and old houses.
- **On a trek:** move away from steep slopes and riverbeds if possible.

## After an earthquake

- Expect aftershocks.
- Follow local authorities and your guide.
- Use messages rather than calls to keep networks free.
- Contact family and your embassy.

## Nepal's recent earthquakes

The 2015 Gorkha earthquake caused great loss of life and damage; Nepal has since rebuilt. Read our [2015 report](/news/gorkha-earthquake-nepal-2015) and [is Nepal safe to visit?](/blog/is-nepal-safe-to-visit)

## Why Nepal has earthquakes

Nepal sits on the boundary where the Indian tectonic plate is pushing north under the Eurasian plate, at a rate of a few centimetres a year. This collision built the Himalaya and is still lifting the mountains today. Stress builds up along the main fault, known as the Main Himalayan Thrust, and is released in earthquakes. Large earthquakes have struck Nepal throughout history, and scientists expect more in the future, though no one can predict exactly when or where.

## Major earthquakes in Nepal

YearEarthquakeImpact1934Nepal–Bihar earthquake, about magnitude 8Thousands killed; heavy damage in the Kathmandu Valley2011Sikkim earthquake, felt in eastern NepalDeaths and damage in eastern Nepal2015Gorkha earthquake, magnitude 7.8 (25 April), and magnitude 7.3 (12 May)Nearly 9,000 killed; heritage sites damaged; avalanches at Langtang and Everest Base Camp2023Jajarkot earthquake, magnitude 5.7153 killed in western Nepal2025Tingri earthquake in Tibet, magnitude 7.1Felt across Nepal; deaths in TibetSee our news on the [2015 Gorkha earthquake](/news/gorkha-earthquake-nepal-2015), the [2023 Jajarkot earthquake](/news/jajarkot-earthquake-2023) and the [2025 Tingri earthquake](/news/tingri-earthquake-near-everest-2025).

## During an earthquake: indoors

- **Drop, cover and hold on:** drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.
- If there is no table, crouch against an interior wall away from windows and cover your head and neck.
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, shelves and heavy objects that could fall.
- Don't run outside during the shaking: falling bricks and glass near buildings are a major danger.
- Don't use lifts.
- If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow.

## During an earthquake: outdoors and in the mountains

- Move away from buildings, walls, power lines and trees, to an open area.
- In narrow streets, such as in Thamel or old town areas, take cover in a doorway or open courtyard, protecting your head.
- On a trek, move away from steep slopes, cliffs and river banks, which can produce landslides and rockfall; avoid standing below steep snow slopes.
- If you are driving, stop in an open place away from bridges, slopes and buildings, and stay in the vehicle.

## Once the shaking stops

- Expect aftershocks, some of them strong, for days or weeks.
- Check yourself and others for injuries and give first aid.
- Leave damaged buildings carefully; don't re-enter until they are declared safe.
- Move to open spaces, such as parks and squares; in Kathmandu, Tundikhel is a large open area.
- Contact your family, your embassy and your trekking company to let them know you are safe; text messages and internet often work when phone calls don't.
- Follow instructions from local authorities, police and your guide.
- In the mountains, watch for landslides, rockfall, avalanches and glacial lake outbursts.

## Prepare before you travel

- Register with your embassy's travel registration service, if available.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers natural disasters and evacuation.
- Keep a small emergency kit: headtorch, water, snacks, power bank, first-aid kit, copies of documents and some cash.
- Save emergency numbers: Tourist Police 1144, Police 100, your embassy and your trekking company.
- When you check in, note the exits and safe spots in your hotel.
- Choose well-built, modern hotels where possible.

## Buildings and safety

Many traditional houses in Nepal are built of brick or stone with mud mortar, which performed poorly in the 2015 earthquake. Since then, Nepal has strengthened its building codes and many new buildings use reinforced concrete and earthquake-resistant designs. Well-built modern hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara are generally safer than old, tall, narrow buildings. In the mountains, many lodges were rebuilt after 2015 with better techniques. Ask your hotel or trekking company if you are concerned.

## Is it safe to visit?

Earthquakes are a risk you accept when travelling to Nepal, as in Japan, New Zealand or California. The chance of experiencing a major earthquake during a short trip is low, and the benefits of visiting, for you and for the communities that depend on tourism, are great. Prepare sensibly, know what to do, and enjoy your trip. See [is Nepal safe?](/blog/is-nepal-safe-to-visit)

## Earthquakes and trekking regions

The 2015 earthquake showed that the greatest dangers in the mountains often come from secondary effects: landslides, rockfall and avalanches triggered by the shaking. Langtang village was buried by a huge avalanche and landslide, and an avalanche swept part of Everest Base Camp. On a trek, if you feel strong shaking, move away from slopes, cliffs and river banks, and follow your guide's instructions. After a large earthquake, trails may be damaged or blocked, and lodges may be unsafe, so expect changes to your plans. Helicopters may be used to evacuate trekkers from affected areas. Rebuilt trails and lodges in Langtang and elsewhere now welcome trekkers again. See [Langtang](/blog/langtang-valley-trek-guide).

## Heritage and recovery

The 2015 earthquake damaged many of the Kathmandu Valley's temples and palaces, including buildings in all three Durbar Squares, and destroyed the Dharahara tower in Kathmandu. Years of reconstruction, much of it using traditional materials and craftspeople, have restored many of these monuments, and a new Dharahara tower opened in 2021. Visiting these sites today supports their continued restoration and the communities around them. See [UNESCO sites](/blog/unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-nepal).

## Supporting communities

After disasters, the best way to help Nepal is often to keep travelling. Tourism provides jobs for guides, porters, lodge owners and craftspeople, many of whom live in areas affected by earthquakes. Choose locally owned businesses and responsible operators, and consider supporting registered organisations involved in reconstruction and disaster preparedness.

## Our safety procedures

Our guides are briefed on earthquake safety and emergency procedures, carry first-aid kits and communication devices on remote treks, and keep our Kathmandu office informed of their location. In an emergency, we contact trekkers' families, embassies and insurers, and arrange evacuation where needed. We also choose well-built hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. [Contact us](/contact-us) with any questions.

## Emergency kit checklist

- Headtorch with spare batteries.
- Bottled water and snacks for 24 hours.
- Small first-aid kit and personal medicines.
- Charged power bank and charging cable.
- Copies of passport, visa and insurance documents.
- Some cash in Nepali rupees.
- Whistle and warm layer.

## Frequently asked questions
### Is Nepal prone to earthquakes?
Yes, it lies in an active seismic zone.

### What should I do in an earthquake?
Drop, cover and hold on indoors; move to open ground outdoors.

### Is it safe to travel to Nepal?
Yes; major earthquakes are rare, but be prepared.

### What should I do on a trek?
Move away from steep slopes and follow your guide.

### Why does Nepal have earthquakes?
The Indian plate is pushing under the Eurasian plate, building the Himalaya and causing earthquakes.

### What is "drop, cover and hold on"?
Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops.

### Where should I go after an earthquake in Kathmandu?
To open spaces such as Tundikhel, away from damaged buildings.

### What happened at Langtang in 2015?
The earthquake triggered an avalanche and landslide that buried Langtang village.

### Can I predict earthquakes in Nepal?
No. Scientists expect more earthquakes, but they cannot predict when or where.

### Was Dharahara rebuilt?
Yes, a new Dharahara tower opened in 2021.

### How can I help Nepal after an earthquake?
Keep travelling with responsible, locally owned businesses, and support registered relief and reconstruction organisations.

### What does Himalayan Hiking do in an earthquake?
Our guides follow emergency procedures, keep in touch with our office, and we coordinate with families, embassies and insurers.

### Are hotels in Kathmandu earthquake-safe?
Modern, well-built hotels are generally safer than old, tall, narrow buildings; ask if you are concerned.

### What is the Main Himalayan Thrust?
The main fault where the Indian plate pushes under the Eurasian plate, causing Nepal's large earthquakes.

### Are aftershocks dangerous?
Yes, they can damage weakened buildings; stay out of damaged structures.

### Should I cancel my trip because of earthquake risk?
No. The chance of a major earthquake during a short trip is low; prepare sensibly and travel with confidence.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/earthquake-safety-in-nepal