Kathmandu, January 15:

The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) is preparing to celebrate the 10th National Earthquake Safety Day tomorrow to commemorate the Bihar-Nepal earthquake of 1934.

As many as 17,000 people were killed in Nepal and India in the earthquake that occurred in 1934. Nepalis observe ESD on Magh 2 every year to create awareness about earthquakes and share knowledge and information about safety measures and disaster management.

According to a statement issued by the DUDBC, a rally will go through the thoroughfares of the city and converge into a mass meeting at the Bhugol Park, which was constructed in memory of victims of 1934 quake.

An earthquake safety exhibition would be conducted in the office of the Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City and an earthquake simulation will be organised in different parts of the country, the statement of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction said, adding that the programmes aim at creating awareness on earthquake and help manage the risk.

Meanwhile, the National Society for Earthquake Technology - Nepal has warned that any earthquake as powerful as that of 1934 in Kathmandu Valley would result in deaths of 40,000 persons and over 100,000 people may be rendered homeless.