Vol. 10 No. 1 (2023)

This monographic issue provides an overview of Nepal's natural hazards, vulnerability, capacity, and risks, along with efforts undertaken by the government and other stakeholders to enhance disaster risk reduction and management. As a landlocked country located in the Hindukush Himalayan Region, Nepal is exposed to active tectonic processes, complex geology, and a range of climatic conditions. Coupled with an increasing population, unplanned settlements, low socioeconomic status, and limited awareness, Nepal is at high risk of multiple natural hazards. Earthquakes remain a significant threat throughout the country due to the presence of continental-sized geologic faults. Nepal's high risk is further indicated by its high ranking in the 2021 INFORM global risk index and vulnerability ranks of 4th, 11th, and 30th for climate change, earthquakes, and floods, respectively. The monograph evaluates disaster incidents and losses in Nepal from 1971 to 2017 using the DesInvetar database maintained by the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), with quantitative analysis summarized through tables, figures, and graphs. The monograph also presents a case study assessing the severity of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake using Yew's Disaster Severity Index, which utilizes pre-identified markers of vulnerability and exposure.