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Chronological History
Recorded Historical Earthquakes in Nepal (Earthquake Catalogue of Nepal 1255 - 2011 AD)
» 1310 BS / 1255 AD
The first recorded earthquake in history of Nepal took place on June 7, 1255 AD. One third of the total population of Kathmandu were killed including Abahya Malla , the King of Kathmandu valley , numerous buildings and temples of the valley were entirely destroyed while many of them were severely damaged, the magnitude of the earthquake is said to be around 7.7 in Richter scale
» 1316BS/ 1260 AD
Next recorded big earthquake after 1255 AD was during the reign of King Jayadev Malla, many buildings and temples collapsed and many more were severely damaged, Although the exact number of fatalities cannot be confirmed still we know from the facts that there was a heavy loss of live resulting from the earthquakes and from the subsequent epidemic and famine said to be widespread which arose from the aftermath of the disaster.
» 1463BS/ 1408AD
The month August or September of this year saw another major earthquake hit the valley of Kathmandu and the surrounding areas, during the reign of king Shyam singh. The temple of Rato Matchendranath was completely destroyed while many other temples and buildings collapsed and were damaged. Cracks on land appeared in many places. There was a heavy loss of lives and livestock.
» 1737BS/ 1681 AD
Either on the month of December or January, during the reign King Sri Niwas Malla, another major earthquake said to hit Nepal and the Kathmandu valley. Although very little information is available on this particular earthquake, there was heavy loss lives as well as many buildings including temples were either damaged or destroyed.
» 1767 AD
In months of June and July another significant earthquake seemed to have hit Nepal. Twenty one shocks and aftershocks of this particular earthquake is said to have occurred in a span of twenty four hours. No written or verbal records survive to indicate any human loss or the magnitude of sufferings and damages caused.
» 1866 BS/ 1810 AD
During the reign of King Girban Yudha Bikram Shah in the months of May or June twenty one shocks of earthquakes in total were felt in Nepal. Although the loss in human lives and cattle were limited, many houses, building and some temples were either destroyed or damaged.
1880 BS / 1823AD
Seventeen earthquake tremors of various magnitudes were felt in the region of Katmandu valley but these shocks probably were smaller relative to the past earthquakes as there was no report of loss of human lives or livestock.
» 1890 BS/ 1833 AD
During the reign King Rajendra Bikram Shah on the months of August or September, Two major strikes were experienced in the Kathmandu valley. The first one was felt in around 6 pm and the second one was around 11 pm at night when most of the valley people were already in their beds. Houses, temples, public shelters collapsed. The tower of Dharahara was also severely damaged. The towns of Thimi and Bhaktapur took the brunt of the disaster severely damaging the housing facilities, roads network and various temples. Many building and temples were utterly destroyed. 4214 houses were said to have collapsed within Kathmandu Valley and in totality over 18000 houses collapsed all over the country.
» 1891 BS/ 1834 AD
Four major earthquakes were felt in the months of June and July. These earthquakes destroyed or damaged many buildings and temples. However, the extent of damage was much less than the previous ones (i.e., 1833 event). Since there was a lot of rain which commenced and ended with the earthquakes the search and rescue operations were severely hampered. The Bagmati River was over flooded and a bridge over the river also swept away. The crops planted near the banks of the rivers were also swept away. There are no records of human or livestock casualties.
» 1990 BS/ 1934 AD
Magh (January- February) Earthquake, Known as Great Nepal Bihar Earthquake struck the Kingdom of Nepal and it’s surrounding areas around 2 pm on the 16th of January. The magnitude of the earthquake was 8.4 on the Richter scale. Casualty figures were highest for any recorded earthquake in the history of Nepal. In total 8519 people lost their lives in Nepal, A total of 126355 houses were severely damaged and around 80893 buildings were completely destroyed.
Total money spent from the earthquake relief fund was NRs 206500 inside Kathmandu valley only. Earthquake relief fund was established by the king, loans were provided for earthquake effected people and earthquake volunteers groups were formed.
» 2031 BS/ 1974 AD
One building destroyed in Central region Nuwakot
» 2037 BS/ 1980 AD
6.5 richter scale, far western region mostly affected – Baitadi, Bajhang, Darchula, 125 people dead, 248 seriously injured, 11,604 buildings destroyed, 13,414 buildings damaged, heavy loss of livestock
» 2045 BS/ 1988 AD
Udayapur Earthquake, Eastern Development Region mostly affected and some parts of Central Development region affected, 721 deaths, 6553 people injured, 64174 private buildings, 468 public houses, 790 government buildings damaged, 1566 live stocks, 22 districts of eastern Nepal affected, Total direct loss of 5 billion rupees, loan given by World Bank NRs. 1 billion
» 2050 BS/ 1993 AD
Central region and Mid Western region affected, 1 person dead, 11 injured, 72 houses destroyed, 451 buildings damaged, loss of 48.39 million rupees
» 2051 BS/ 1994 AD
Mid Western Region affected, injured people 12, affected 623, houses destroyed 84,287 buildings damaged, Loss of 16.35 million rupees
» 2052BS/ 1995 AD
Mid Western Region- Dailekh affected, 18 people affected, 4 houses destroyed, loss of 1.02 million rupees
» 2054 BS /1997 AD
Central region and Far Western region mostly affected, some parts of eastern region, and western region also affected, 1 person injured, 1489 affected,196 houses destroyed, 60 buildings damaged, loss of 51.29 million rupees
» 2058 BS/ 2001 AD
Far Western region and some parts of Western and Central regions affected, 2 dead, 3 houses destroyed, loss of 1.32 million rupees
» 2059 BS/ 2002 AD
Mostly Mohatarri of Central region affected, 41 injured
» 2060BS/ 2003 AD
Syangja of Western Region affected, 1 dead, 2 injured
Source
» DesInventar NSET
» Seismic Hazard Mapping and Risk Assessment for Nepal, UNDP/ UNCHS (Habitat) Subproject
