Dr. Shiv Subedi is working as a seismologist at Nepal Institute of Science and Technology. He was awarded the 'Judge Commendation' award in London in 2024 for the John Maddox Prize, which is awarded by the world famous science journal, for raising awareness about earthquakes in Nepal and campaigning for earthquake preparedness. Edited part of a conversation between Numa Thamsuhang of Kantipur and seismologist Subedi:

What is the message of the Tibetan earthquake that happened a few days ago on the morning of December 23 for Nepal?

Earthquakes are happening in Nepal and small and big earthquakes can occur. Even more devastating earthquakes may occur. The Tibet earthquake has given a message that even if an earthquake occurs outside Nepal's borders, Nepal can suffer great damage. The earthquake that passed through the center of Tibet caused some houses around Everest to crack and collapse. Because, this place came close to the epicenter of the earthquake .

Not only Tibet, if a big earthquake happens in Sikkim, it will also affect Nepal. Or if there is a big earthquake in the Indian territory to the west, it will affect West Dhangadhi. This means that earthquakes do not respect any country's borders . Earthquakes can occur at any time in the 2500 km long Himalayan range where we live. The message is that we should be ready for that.

National Earthquake Safety Day is celebrated every year. What do we need to understand, so that we can be safe from earthquakes?

Nepal government has decided to celebrate Earthquake Safety Day on January 2nd in memory of the earthquake of 1990. By remembering the day of the earthquake, the people will know and increase public awareness by doing the program related to the earthquake. But this alone is not enough. This kind of practice looked like a test that was given on the day before the exam.  Since 2072, we have been experiencing small-big earthquakes. You have to work continuously every day to prepare for the earthquake. Which we are not able to do . In that sense, it is good to celebrate National Earthquake Safety Day . 

What should be done to reduce the risk caused by an earthquake ? 

This can be done in different stages . In the first stage, the government of Nepal should prepare a curriculum containing earthquake information and teach it at the school level for preparation. What to do before the earthquake? What to do after leaving? What to do while going? How can the risk of future earthquakes be reduced? Or things like how to reduce physical and human damage from earthquakes should be covered.

Because, if I could read about earthquakes in 8th/9th grade, I would have at least one level of awareness . The message we want to give through education reaches many people and communities in a short time . Now, if you train someone about earthquakes, you will not find one person . Because we don't have that kind of manpower . In this, the university should open a department related to Earth Science or Earth Science should be taught in existing departments. It forms an eco system . We also lack that. 

While giving these educations, let's try to make every building that is built now earthquake-resistant . We don't say only RCC houses are earthquake resistant. It is necessary to make the house of the village, the mud house also earthquake resistant. But technology had to be used . Saying this, an earthquake-resistant house will not be built today and tomorrow by spending millions. But the earthquake can happen in the evening or even in the next 50 years. It is not certain . We had to prepare for today's earthquake and years to come. Therefore, it is necessary to make all structures earthquake resistant.

What have we learned from past earthquakes? 

Sorry, we haven't learned anything . A child who was playing outside in Sindhupalchowk entered the house and hid under the table when the 2072 earthquake hit. There the child died from being crushed. Because, our learning is wrong . Our learning about what to do before and after an earthquake is incomplete . That's why I said it should be kept in the curriculum. 

What we had to teach You knew there was an earthquake . What to do now? Where are you - inside or outside? If you are outside, do not enter the house from outside. If you are outside, move to an open and safe place . An open and safe place is a place where houses or structures will not collapse and you will not be hurt . Lamp poles, tree branches and wires do not press. 

Now indoors and if you are on the first or ground floor, get out as much as you can . My argument is that we don't know the capacity of the house we live in. Staying outdoors is less risky than staying indoors . Even sitting outside there is a possibility of injury from objects falling from above . Inside the house, there is a possibility that the house itself will be destroyed . When the house is destroyed, the chances of people surviving are very low . But when people are outside the house, such risk is very less. So you have to get out . 

Now you are on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors and if the house is built in a traditional style or means you can't get out of the ground floor then you have to use the drop, cover and hold method . This practice is also done in developed countries. You sit under a table leg, window or door frame . Because, in comparison, these are strong . If we had taught this, a child playing outside would not go inside when an earthquake hits. 

What is Nepal's way to be safe from earthquakes?

Building codes had to be strictly enforced nationally to stay safe from earthquakes . It had to be done that the buildings that will be built now in all the mountains, hills and plains must be earthquake resistant without any conditions. No matter where the house is built, it should be earthquake resistant. And people had to be made aware of what to do before, during and after the earthquake.

We will prepare an earthquake emergency bag, i.e. ``Jhatpat Zhola'' . The National Disaster and Risk Reduction Authority has prepared an awareness message about this. Its purpose is to help out if something happens due to an earthquake, to help them get out if they are stranded, to save a small family for a day or two if they carry it. All of us had to practice such things. 

What has happened to protect the world from earthquakes?

For example, earthquakes happen twice a month or twice a week in Japan. At that time, sirens are sounded in schools and office buildings. People's reactions are watched and they are reminded if someone panics, runs or runs away. This is a regular practice . Therefore, even if there is an earthquake of 7 magnitude, the human loss is less. Practicing the same thing over and over develops the ability to respond to an earthquake. Therefore, while focusing on education, attention should also be paid to practice .