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Towards Development of Seismic Hazard Assessment and Risk Mitigation Capacities in Nepal

This project aims to strengthen Nepal’s capacity for seismic hazard assessment and earthquake risk mitigation through continued collaboration between the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET), Nepal, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Building on successful partnerships formed after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, the project focuses on institutionalizing seismic hazard studies in Nepal by supporting the establishment of a National Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) Program.

The project will enhance seismic data collection, support the development and updating of seismic hazard models, and build the technical capacity of Nepali institutions and professionals. Through joint planning, training, consortium development, and international engagement, the project will contribute to sustainable, nationally led systems for seismic hazard and risk analysis, supporting informed decision‑making and long‑term earthquake risk reduction in Nepal.

Objectives
The main aim of this collaboration is to work towards formation of National PSHA program in Nepal. The specific objectives are:

  1. To collaborate with government agencies and key stakeholders and develop synergies among the stakeholders for institutionalization of seismic studies in Nepal

  1. To continue instrumentation and seismic data collection for PSHA studies

  1. To enhance capacity of Nepali professionals in PSHA through training courses and participation to meetings and conference.

Key Partner and Stakeholder:

  • United States Geological Survey (USGS)

  • Department of Mines and Geology

  • Academic Institutions

Key Activities

The following are the major activities of this program.

  • Establish a National PSHA consortium led by government agencies with NSET as secretariat

  • Organize annual and scientific meetings for knowledge sharing and consensus building

  • Conduct training and technical capacity building on PSHA and seismic hazard modeling

  • Facilitate international training, study visits, and conference participation

  • Expand and strengthen seismic instrumentation and data collection through the N‑SHAKE network

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • 3 May 2026 – Training Workshop on Seismic Hazard Assessment and Aftershock Forecasting

NSET organized a training workshop in Kathmandu on seismic hazard assessment and aftershock forecasting, bringing together participants from the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG), Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), academia, and the broader earthquake science community. The workshop included technical sessions, hands-on training in aftershock forecasting tools, and discussions aimed at strengthening Nepal’s seismic hazard assessment and forecasting capacity. The event was facilitated by experts from the USGS, including Dr. Susan Hough and Dr. Max Schneider, in collaboration with DMG.

  • 4–6 May 2026 – 9th Asian Conference on Earthquake Engineering (9ACEE)

At the 9th Asian Conference on Earthquake Engineering (9ACEE), Dr. Susan Hough, Seismologist and US–South Asia Coordinator at the United States Geological Survey (USGS), delivered the keynote address, “Towards Consensus-based Seismic Hazard Assessment and Risk Mitigation.” Her presentation highlighted collaborative approaches to seismic hazard assessment and underscored the importance of consensus-based strategies for strengthening earthquake risk mitigation.

  • 27–29 February 2024 – Workshop on Earthquake Hazard Assessment and Aftershock Forecasting

NSET, in collaboration with USGS, USAID/BHA organized a three-day workshop to strengthen Nepal’s capacity in seismic hazard assessment and aftershock forecasting. The workshop brought together experts, researchers, and government agencies to review current practices, promote consensus-based seismic hazard mapping, and identify priorities for improved collaboration, data sharing, and future hazard map updates.

Reconstruction of Earthquake-Resilient and Eco-Friendly Schools in Jajarkot, Nepal

The proposed project will construct two earthquake-resistant and eco-friendly school buildings Shree Kalika Aadarsha Primary School (Garchhina) and Birendra Primary School (Bhargaun)located in Nalgad Municipality–6, Jajarkot District. The project will deliver a total of 9 classrooms and 2 blocks of 4 toilets using interlocking Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks (CSEB), a green construction technology recommended by the Government of Nepal for post-earthquake reconstruction in earthquake-affected areas.

The approach contributes to Nepal’s Long-term Strategy for Net Zero Emissions (2045) by reducing dependency on fired bricks and cutting CO₂ emissions by an estimated 49 tonnes during construction. This initiative is also in line with the National Reconstruction Guidelines (2023), which prioritize sustainable, locally adaptable, and disaster-resilient building practices.

Beyond infrastructure development, the project will strengthen local capacity, livelihoods, and community resilience by establishing a community-led CSEB production enterprise and providing hands-on training to local masons and affected families in earthquake-resistant construction techniques, ensuring long-term sustainability and safer rebuilding in the region.

OBJECTIVES

  • Create a locally led enterprise to produce and build with interlocking CSEB.

  • Rebuild two earthquake-resistant schools with 9 classrooms (4+5) and 2 toilet blocks.

  • Train 20 local masons in earthquake-resistant construction techniques.

  • Empower local families to rebuild damaged homes in a disaster-resistant and cost-effective manner.

  • Provide classroom furniture for all newly constructed classrooms.

  • Develop a school safety plan in collaboration with school authorities and local government.

  • Strengthen coordination and linkages with municipal offices and education authorities to ensure sustainability and policy alignment.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Component 1: Community Engagement and Coordination

  • Conduct consultative meetings with Nalgad Municipality, School Management Committees (SMCs) of Shree Kalika Aadarsha Primary School and Birendra Primary School, and community leaders.

  • Organize focus group discussions (FGDs) with parents, teachers, and students to ensure inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and community ownership.

  • Establish a local coordination mechanism to monitor construction progress and ensure transparency and accountability.

Component 2: Construction of Safe and Eco-Friendly School Infrastructure

  • Construct two school buildings (9 classrooms total) following Government of Nepal’s School Physical Infrastructure Guidelines.

  • Build two toilet blocks (4 units each) with gender-segregated facilities and WASH improvements.

  • Provide essential classroom furniture (benches, desks, chairs, and blackboards).

Component 3: Local Capacity Building and Livelihood Support

  • Establish a community-led CSEB production enterprise, equipped with machinery, tools, and safety gear.

  • Conduct CSEB production training for selected local groups.

  • Train 20 local masons on earthquake-resistant construction and safe building practices.

  • Provide on-the-job mentoring during school construction to reinforce learning-by-doing.

Component 4: School Safety and Sustainability

  • Develop and implement a school safety plan, including disaster drills and maintenance guidance.

  • Engage local education and disaster management authorities to integrate safety practices into school management.

  • Promote awareness on eco-friendly construction and environmental conservation among students and parents.

Component 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

  • Conduct baseline and endline assessments to measure improvements in school infrastructure and community construction skills.

  • Facilitate regular monitoring visits by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), the Social Welfare Council (SWC), and local authorities to ensure quality, compliance, and learning documentation.

Key Highlights

  • 7-Day Masons Training on Earthquake-Resistant Building Construction – Conducted at Nalgad Municipality Ward No. 6 Office, Bhargaun, Jajarkot District, from 16–22 February 2026, with 20 participants.

  • Orientation and Capacity Building on Earthquake Risk Reduction, School Damage Assessment, and Reconstruction – Conducted in Bhargaun, Nalgad Municipality–6, with 28 participants.

  • CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks) and Interlocking Brick Production Training – Conducted from 18–22 March 2026 to enhance local skills in alternative resilient construction techniques, with 30 participants.

Community-led Landslide Resilience: Using the World Risk Poll to Strengthen Localized Early Warning Systems in Nepal

The Community-led Landslide Resilience (CLR) Project is a collaborative initiative between the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) and the National Society for Earthquake Technology–Nepal (NSET), funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The project aims to strengthen disaster resilience in two high-risk communities in Nepal by developing and operationalizing community-led early warning mechanisms for landslides.

The project focuses on enhancing landslide early warning systems (EWS) through the integration of scientific risk information and local knowledge, ensuring that warning mechanisms are people-centred, context-specific, and accessible to marginalized populations. By placing communities at the centre of early warning design, dissemination, and response, the project seeks to improve access to early warning systems for the most marginalized communities to reduce landslide-related losses.

Geographic Coverage: Bhimeshowr Municipality, Dolakha and  Bhotekoshi Municipality, Sindhupalchwok

OBJECTIVES

  • Improve access to early warnings for two of the most marginalised communities in Nepal

  • Enhance community resilience by establishing localised early warning systems

  • Support evidence-based advocacy to influence policies and practices for more effective early warning systems

KEY COMPONENTS
The following are the major activities of this program.

  1. Conduct baseline assessments and analysis: Assess current landslide risks, community capacities, and existing early warning practices.

  2. Focus group discussions & surveys: Gather community perceptions, experiences, and preparedness levels, including marginalized groups.

  3. Consultation meetings: Engage local governments, stakeholders, and technical institutions to align expectations and roles.

  4. Co-creation workshop on EWS: Jointly design localized early warning models with communities and experts.

  5. Installation of monitoring equipment: Procure and set up sensors, gauges, and communication devices at identified sites.

  6. Community orientation on equipment use: Train community members on interpreting signals, reporting issues, and responding to alerts.

  7. Technical support and maintenance: Provide ongoing troubleshooting, system calibration, and equipment upkeep.

  8. Training of local disaster management committees: Strengthen local committees’ technical and coordination capacities for EWS operation.

  9. Community reflection workshops: Review experiences, lessons learned, and improvements after EWS testing and implementation.

  10. Knowledge-sharing participation event: Share community practices and innovations at provincial or national platforms.

  11. National-level dissemination event: Present project results, lessons, and policy recommendations to national stakeholders.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

  • Improved Access to Early Warnings: Marginalised communities to receive timely, localised and actionable early warnings for landslides.

  • Strengthened Community Resilience: Vulnerable communities are empowered with co-created Early Warning Systems, improved preparedness, and enhanced response capacities.

  • Evidence-based Policy Influence: Documented insights and best practices inform national, regional, and global platforms, contributing to policies and practices that strengthen sustainable early warning systems.

Synthesis of Earthquake and Landslide Risk to Inform Emergency Preparedness and Planning in Nepal. [SARH Project (the Evidence Project)]

Nepal faces a cascade of hazards triggered both by infrequent, damaging earthquakes and by the annual monsoon. Scientific understanding of these hazard chains and the risks they pose has grown substantially over the past 10–15 years, alongside improved understanding of exposure, social vulnerability, local and Indigenous knowledge, and disaster risk governance.

The overall aim of this project is to maximise the impact of knowledge and findings generated from the GCRF-funded Sajag-Nepal project (2021-2025) as well as other UKRI- and FCDO-funded research projects. To achieve this aim, the project will develop tools and materials to strengthen earthquake and monsoon preparedness planning by a wide range of specific beneficiaries: the Government of Nepal via the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and municipal governments; the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO); the humanitarian clusters that make up the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT); and the national and international NGOs that together comprise the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Platform, administered by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).

The project will generate a set of outputs (O1-O7), drawing upon the research team’s continuous engagement with these beneficiaries since 2010 and framed around specific questions and knowledge gaps that have arisen during the production of that body of collaborative research. Here, we outline the stages involved in the project, our plan for their completion, and the type and anticipated form of these outputs. We note, however, that specific details of each output are yet to be determined, because they depend on consultation with the beneficiaries in Stage 1.

This project, led by Durham University with the University of Northumbria and NSET, will synthesise knowledge and findings from the GCRF-funded Sajag-Nepal project (2021–2025) and other UKRI- and FCDO-funded research into practical tools and materials that strengthen earthquake and monsoon preparedness planning in Nepal. The work builds on the research team’s continuous engagement with Nepali government and humanitarian partners since 2010 and is co-led in Nepal by the National Society for Earthquake Techniology – Nepal (NSET).

OBJECTIVES

  • Synthesise research on slope-specific monitoring and past landslide occurrence into decision-focused briefing notes for municipal governments to support local monsoon planning.

  • Bring together monsoon timelines, a landslide impact forecasting tool, and a national multi-hazard earthquake scenario ensemble to inform contingency planning by NDRRMA and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office / Humanitarian Country Team.

  • Capture lessons from the ten years since the Gorkha earthquake to inform ongoing reconstruction and recovery planning.

  • Summarise proven hillslope monitoring approaches for the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Platform, to support scale-up of existing research beyond the four case-study municipalities.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Stage 1 – Consultation (Weeks 1–7): Interviews with senior technical staff at eight institutions – NDRRMA, the Resident Coordinator’s Office, MoFAGA, IFRC, and the four case-study municipalities aiming to identify updated planning priorities and knowledge gaps; workplan refined and shared with BEK (Deliverable 1).

  • Stage 2 – Design (Weeks 7–14): Project co-lead (GKB) travels to the UK to work with the team on drafting seven knowledge outputs (O1–O7), drawing on existing national-scale landslide, earthquake-scenario, forecasting, monitoring, and ethnographic datasets; priority datasets prepared for the Government of Nepal’s Bipad Portal; national-level drafts shared with BEK (Deliverable 2).

  • Stage 3 – Delivery and Iteration (Weeks 14–24+): Draft outputs shared, discussed, and refined with beneficiaries ahead of the 2026 monsoon, timed around elections and each partner’s planning cycle (Deliverable 3); final synthesis report and outputs shared at end of June (Deliverable 4); hybrid dissemination event with BEK, development partners, and government representatives in July (dates revised in conslultation with BEK, Deliverable 5), alongside outreach to the concerned local authorities in Nepal and wider FCDO.

KEY PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

  • Federal government level: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA, originlly planned may be revised into the local level governments).

  • UN and humanitarian actors: UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) clusters.

  • Civil society: such as, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Platform, including national and international NGOs; Municipal Association of Nepal for scale-up.

  • Local government: the four case-study municipalities – Annapurna, Bhimeshwor, Bhote Koshi, and Temal.

  • Donor/oversight: British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) and FCDO.

  • Research consortium: Durham University, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, and NSET (co-leads Dr. Gopi Krishna Basyal, Prof. Dr. Amod Mani Dixit, and Dr. Surya Shrestha in Nepal; Prof Alexander Densmore, Prof Nick Rosser, and Dr Katie Oven in the UK).

Development of Safer and Greener Infrastructure Package under Climate-Smart Education Systems Initiative for Nepal

The “Development of Safer and Greener Infrastructure Package under Climate-Smart Education Systems Initiative for Nepal” Project is a collaborative initiative between the Save the Children International (SCI) and the National Society for Earthquake Technology–Nepal (NSET).

The project aims to strengthen Nepal’s education system by developing and promoting standardized guidelines and capacity for safer, greener, climate-resilient school infrastructure, addressing identified gaps in the School Physical Infrastructure Construction Standard, 2080 BS through the development of a Safer and Greener Infrastructure Package under the Climate-Smart Education Systems Initiative, ensuring schools are resilient to climate risks and environmentally sustainable.

The project focuses on documentation of the indigenous practices related to climate-resilient school infrastructure and develop them into a guideline to be included as an annex to the School Physical Infrastructure Construction Standard, 2080 BS, along with delivering training on these guidelines for CEHRD technical staff.

OBJECTIVES

  • To identify and document local and indigenous practices on climate resilient school infrastructure.

  • To develop a detailed description on strengthening capacity through the incorporation of climate change and environment from the perspective of safer and greener infrastructure; and

  • To develop the training package and conduct the training to technical staff from CEHRD, civil society and province representatives.

KEY COMPONENTS/ACTIVITIES

The following are the major activities of this program:

  1. Identify and Document Local and Indigenous Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Practices

  2. Review and provide recommendations on Climate-Resilient School Infrastructure Standards.

  3. Develop a Supporting Annex on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.

  4. Prepare Capacity Building Materials on Climate Resilient and Greener infrastructure and provide training on the climate-resilient infrastructure annex.

Nepal Earthquake Desk Project, Phase 3

Project Background

Many schools in far-west Nepal continue to operate in traditional or non-engineered buildings with limited protective measures for children during earthquakes. Difficult terrain, scattered settlements, limited technical resources and weak quality-control systems further constrain school-safety improvements. The 2015 Gorkha Earthquake reinforced the need for practical, scalable measures that reduce immediate risk while longer-term retrofitting and reconstruction continue.

The Earthquake Desk is an interim life-safety measure: a precisely manufactured classroom desk intended to provide students with a stronger protective space during seismic shaking. Phase 3 moves beyond isolated prototypes by building local production capacity, introducing quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), prioritizing vulnerable classrooms, and seeking government support for monitoring and endorsement.

Why Earthquake Desks?

They provide an immediately deployable protective measure for children in buildings that cannot yet be replaced or retrofitted. The project combines the product with manufacturing controls, classroom planning and government oversight.

Project Purpose
To create safer learning environments in vulnerable schools through the Nepal-based production and placement of quality Earthquake Desks, while establishing the technical, institutional and coordination systems needed for reliable scaling.

Specific objectives

  • Co-develop practical processes for volume production of Nepal-made Earthquake Desks.
  • Prepare initial QA/QC guidelines and promote standardized manufacturing and certification.
  • Identify and prioritize high-risk classrooms and prepare appropriate desk layouts.
  • Strengthen coordination among governments, schools, manufacturers and technical partners.
  • Build awareness, institutional capacity and government commitment for sustainable school safety.

 

Target Groups

  • Students and teachers in vulnerable schools
  • School management and local governments
  • Local desk manufacturers and fabricators
  • Engineers, technical institutions and DRR stakeholders

 

Expected Results

  • A Nepal-based production process capable of delivering precisely manufactured desks at limited volume.
  • Local manufacturers with improved technical knowledge, production discipline and understanding of required safety standards.
  • Initial QA/QC guidance for manufacture, inspection, approval and ongoing monitoring.
  • Priority classrooms identified through seismic vulnerability, student need and implementation feasibility.
  • Earthquake Desks delivered and positioned in selected classrooms, supported by layout planning and handover arrangements.
  • Stronger collaboration among NSET, GHI, municipalities, schools, manufacturers, technical institutions and communities.
  • Greater government ownership of desk quality, school earthquake preparedness and replication pathways.

 

Implementation & Monitoring

NSET serves as the national technical and implementation contributor, coordinating closely with GHI and local stakeholders. Progress will be tracked through workplan updates, technical meetings, stakeholder consultations, manufacturer support, classroom assessments, monitoring visits, desk-placement records, QA/QC documentation and final reporting. Procurement and service management will follow NSET procedures and donor compliance requirements.

Sustainability

Sustainability will be pursued through trained local manufacturers, practical QA/QC systems, government endorsement and monitoring, municipal and school ownership, technical documentation, and continued collaboration to replicate the model in other vulnerable schools.

Tomorrow’s Cities Innovation Network (TCIN)

The “Tomorrow’s Cities Innovation Network (TCIN)” Project is a collaborative initiative between the University College of London (UCL) and the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET).

The TCIN addresses science at the intersection of rapid urbanization and climate change. It will bring policy champions, technical professionals and researchers together to drive a shift in global action from risk reduction to risk prevention in rapidly growing cities worldwide. This has been the mission of a UKRI funded Tomorrow’s Cities project (2019-2024, £20m) and its community which forms the starting point for the TCIN. UCL leads underpinning research from MAPS and Engineering Faculties with policy partners from Nepal, Ecuador, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Palestine and Kenya, United Cities and Local Government, UN-Habitat and UNDRR. The TCIN will consolidate and expand this membership.

OBJECTIVES

  • To foster an inclusive and diverse network that facilitates cross-sectoral knowledge exchange.

  • To strengthen global collaboration and extend the reach and impact of the Tomorrow’s Cities approach and science, feeding back into UCL

  • To establish consistent and meaningful engagement among members through structured virtual and in-person interactions.

  • To integrate Tomorrow’s Cities professional training courses into national institutions for long-term impact.

  • To support the financial sustainability and scaling of the Tomorrow’s Cities science impact through new city project opportunities.

  • To institutionalize risk-informed urban planning principles within local governance systems globally.

KEY COMPONENTS/ACTIVITIES

The following are the major activities of this program:

  1. Managing transition of the Tomorrow’s Cities CoP into the TCIN

  2. Socializing the new TCIN through regular webinar

  3. Maintaining quality relationships through a physical meeting

  4. Fostering collaborative proposal development to strengthen UCL and partner science

  5. Promoting uptake of UCL and partner science by city governments, through the UCLG MOOC

  6. Inspiring international change through a Nepal demonstrator programme of national capacity strengthening.

EXPECTED RESULT/OUTCOME

  1. Network membership of 100 with active participation in network webinars by international science and policy actors.

  2. Awareness of Tomorrow’s Cities approaches and the Prevent Agenda among TCIN researchers and practitioners.

  3. Nepal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority integrating Tomorrow’s Cities approach and tools into national planning guidance.

  4. At least 30 Nepal based technical staff trained in the deployment of Tomorrow’s Cities approach and methods

  5. TCIN members collaborating in the submission of at least 3 research proposals

  6. Network members collaborate in 2 publications and 2 policy statements, including for the International Science Council

  7. A proposal for private sector translation of Tomorrow’s Cities tools into marketable products.

KEY PARTNERS AND STAKHOLDERS

  1. University College London (UCL)

  2. Tomorrow’s Cities partner organizations and cities

  3. Members of Tomorrow’s Cities Community of Practice

  4. RiskKAN: Knowledge Action Network on Emergent Risks and Extreme Events

  5. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)- Nepal

  6. Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC)-Nepal

PROGRESS

• Training on Tomorrow’s Cities Decision Support Environment (TCDSE), Kathmandu, Nepal

NSET organized a four-day training on the Tomorrow’s Cities Decision Support Environment (TCDSE): Future-Oriented, Risk-Informed, Inclusive Urban Planning under the Tomorrow’s Cities Innovation Network (TCIN), with support from University College London (UCL), under the guidance of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), in collaboration with the Regional and Urban Planners’ Society of Nepal (RUPSON). The training brought together 30 participants, including urban planners, architects, civil engineers, technical professionals, and government officials, to strengthen capacities in evidence-based, risk-informed, and inclusive urban planning, promoting resilient and sustainable urban development through improved decision-making for disaster and climate risk management.

Supreme Court of Nepal Post-Fire Damage Assessment, NDT/SDT Testing and Retrofit Design Project 

Assessment of post-fire structural condition, residual capacity and safe repair/retrofit options.

Following the fire incident at the Supreme Court of Nepal, an urgent technical assessment was required to determine the extent of structural damage and the building’s safety for continued use. Fire exposure can reduce the strength and durability of structural components even when visible damage appears limited.

The project combined detailed damage assessment, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Semi-Destructive Testing (SDT), structural analysis and retrofit design. The work was undertaken to support informed decisions on repair, strengthening or rehabilitation while protecting occupants and the public.

Objectives

  • Comprehensive damage assessment: Identify and document structural damage caused by the fire.

  • Material condition: Determine actual strength and condition using NDT and SDT.

  • Safety evaluation: Assess structural and non-structural components.

  • Retrofit design: Restore structural safety and serviceability.

  • Standard-based solutions: Develop repair and retrofit measures in line with national and international standards.

  • Risk reduction: Support safe rehabilitation and minimize risk to occupants and the public.

Key Activities

  • Visual inspection and mapping: Detailed inspection of the building, documentation of observed damage and preparation of damage maps.

  • Non-Destructive Testing: Rebound Hammer and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) tests, together with other field observations as appropriate.

  • Semi-Destructive Testing: In-situ material-strength testing at selected locations where additional evidence was required

  • Structural analysis: Evaluation of residual strength and load-carrying capacity of structural elements.

  • Damage classification: Categorization as Minor Damage, Major Damage or Demolition Required, where applicable.

  • Repair and retrofit recommendations: Development of technically appropriate strengthening, repair and rehabilitation measures.

  • Final technical report: Preparation and submission of the integrated assessment and design report to the client.

Training for Mason and Engineering Professional on Earthquake Resistant New Construction and Retrofit

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Dadeldhura is located in a seismically active region where hilly terrain, scattered settlements and widespread non-engineered construction increase earthquake risk. Many buildings are constructed by local masons who have had limited formal exposure to earthquake-resistant methods. GHI, NSET and Ajayameru Rural Municipality therefore organized this seven-day capacity-building program to improve safer new construction and retrofitting practices.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE
Enhance the technical capacity of local masons and municipal engineering professionals to construct and retrofit safer, earthquake-resistant buildings.
IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERSHIP
• GeoHazards International (GHI): funding and.
• NSET: curriculum, trainers, practical delivery, coordination, evaluation, and technical guidance
• Ajayameru Rural Municipality: participant selection, venue, ward coordination and local ownership.

FOCU TRAININGS
• Earthquake basics, local seismic risk and preparedness
• Safe site selection and appropriate building configuration
• Quality materials, workmanship and construction-site management
• Load-bearing masonry and seismic bands/vertical reinforcement
• RCC foundations, columns, beams, slabs and staircase detailing
• Repair versus retrofit; splint-and-bandage and jacketing methods
• Alternative and environment-friendly construction materials
• Nepal National Building Code (NBC) and the role of masons
• Training-of-Trainers inputs for municipal engineering professionals

Participant profile: 24 masons and 6 engineering professionals from all six wards of Ajayameru Rural Municipality; 28 men and 2 women.

MAJOR PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
• Four working groups combined classroom learning with daily assignments and model construction.
• Set out building plans using the 3-4-5 method and examined safer sites and building configurations.
• Built a full-scale load-bearing masonry model with plinth, lintel, roof and gable bands plus vertical reinforcement.
• Fabricated a full-scale RCC frame model, slab reinforcement, cantilever/continuous slab details and staircase reinforcement.
• Practiced retrofitting (splint-and-bandage, corner stitching and jacketing) on a masonry model.

Retrofitting brick masonry building with splint and bandage method
• Produced and tested concrete bricks, stone-crete blocks and RCC slabs to demonstrate curing and correct reinforcement placement.

Slab load test
• Completed pre/post tests, course evaluation, certification and a municipal closing session.

CHALLENGES
• Technical terminology required added explanation in local language.
• Long walking distances caused fatigue and affected full-day attendance.
• Participants from remote wards requested lodging and meal support.

LESSONS LEARNED
• Confirm participants early and schedule around work/agricultural demands.
• Full-scale models and demonstrations transfer skills better than theory alone.
• Local training builds lasting technical capacity and community resilience.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
• Update ward-level lists of active masons.
• Organize advanced and refresher training, especially for retrofitting.
Continue NBC awareness, municipal guidance and technical follow-up

Earthquake Contingency Planning and Full-Scale Simulation Exercise Support for the Government of Bhutan.

This joint initiative of CDRI and NSET aims to review and strengthen the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan (TEQCP) and related sector-specific preparedness plans to assess their relevance, coherence, and operational readiness. Through structured document review and institutional coordination analysis, the project will identify key strengths, gaps, overlaps, and practical challenges in existing contingency planning. Simulation exercises will further test real-time preparedness, reveal operational gaps, and generate actionable lessons, contributing to stronger earthquake response systems and enhanced regional cooperation in seismic risk reduction.

OBJECTIVES

  • Review and strengthen the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan (TEQCP) to make it practical, action‑oriented, and implementable.

  • Test and validate the TEQCP through multi‑agency earthquake simulation and tabletop exercises.

  • Improve inter‑agency coordination and emergency response readiness in Thimphu city.

  • Identify gaps and lessons learned from simulations and incorporate them into the updated TEQCP

Key Partner and Stakeholder:

Royal Government of Bhutan: Department of Local Government and Disaster Management (DLGDM)

Key Activities

  • Conduct initial and follow-up field visits to Bhutan

  • Undertake stakeholder consultations with government agencies and sector partners

  • Review and assess the existing Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan (TEQCP) and sector-specific plans

  • Carry out institutional mapping and capacity assessments

  • Assess critical infrastructure systems and their operational readiness

  • Identify infrastructure interdependencies and key vulnerabilities

  • Develop context-specific earthquake scenarios and risk models

  • Design the earthquake simulation and tabletop exercise (TTX) framework

  • Conduct pre-simulation orientations and training for participating agencies

  •  Implement tabletop and pre-simulation exercises

  • Facilitate the full-scale, multi-agency earthquake TTX

  • Conduct After-Action Reviews (AARs) with stakeholders

  • Update and finalize the TEQCP based on simulation outcome

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 23 June 2026 – National-Level Earthquake Simulation Exercise (SIMEX), Thimphu, Bhutan

The full-scale exercise tested national earthquake preparedness, strengthened multi-agency coordination and emergency response mechanisms, engaged over 450 personnel from key stakeholder organizations, engaed 80+ Gyalsup volunteers as mock casualties using moulage techniques, and activated 14 functional response components across multiple locations to assess coordination, communication, and resource mobilization during a simulated major earthquake.

  • 16 February 2026 – Tabletop Exercise (TTX) Simulation, Thimphu, Bhutan

Tabletop Exercise (TTX) to test the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan (TEQCP) was conducted. The exercise strengthened multi-sectoral coordination, clarified roles and responsibilities, identified operational gaps in emergency response, logistics, health services, and resource mobilization, and enhanced strategic decision-making during crisis situations. The simulation engaged over 130 participants, including senior government officials and technical agencies, and assessed national preparedness through a realistic earthquake scenario affecting urban areas in Bhutan.