Commemorating the devastating earthquake of 1934 that quaked on 15th of January 1934 (i.e. 2nd Magh 1990 as per Bikram Sambat calendar) in Nepal-Bihar region, Government of Nepal had decided in 1999 to observe this day annually as the National Earthquake Safety Day (ESD).

Every year on and around January 16/ 2nd of Magh (as per Bikram Sambat Calendar), Nepal has been celebrating the National Earthquake Safety Day since past 13 years. Ministry of Home Affairs works as the Coordinator of National Committee to mark the day nationwide with array of activities. The National Society for Earthquake Technology- Nepal (NSET) as the member secretary of the Earthquake Safety Day National Committee (ESDNC), chaired by Hon. Minister for Home Affairs observes the ESD by organizing activities with the purpose of raising awareness on earthquake risk reduction and preparedness.

The theme of the day is to create awareness and to share knowledge & information about safety measures and disaster risk management. The ESD is actually the culmination of earthquake risk management works implemented in the country in the preceding 12 months, and thus allows taking stock of the achievements and shortcomings.

The year 2012 is the seventy ninth year of the Great Bihar- Nepal Earthquake (Magh 2 1990 BS, 1934AD), one of the devastating earthquakes in the living memory. In the earthquake more than eight thousand people lost their lives with massive destruction of property.