Shimla, April 4 The 121st anniversary of the 1905 Kangra earthquake, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 20,000 people, was commemorated on Saturday with a mock earthquake drill in government and private educational institutions.
Besides the human toll, the disaster also caused the death of 53,000 livestock and the destruction of over 100,000 buildings.
To mark the day, an international seminar on Horizon Tectonic Sustainable Resilience (HTSR) was held at the Central University, Dharamshala.
The remembrance of the tragedy served as a reminder this year, as Himachal, which was previously classified as Zone IV (High Risk) and Zone V (Very High Risk), has been reclassified as Seismic Zone VI (Highest Risk) by the Bureau of Indian Standards in November 2025, raising serious concerns about the state's vulnerability to earthquakes. This reclassification is attributed to the ongoing tectonic activity and accumulated energy, and covers the entire Himalayan arc.
Speaking on the issue at the HTSR international seminar, renowned scientist Harsh Kumar Gupta expressed concern about the increased earthquake vulnerability of the hilly state.
In an effort to ensure seamless preparedness and to prepare the younger generation for future disasters, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority conducted an annual "Shake-out drill" in all government and private educational institutions.
The authority has also directed all offices, educational, and health institutions, and Gram Sabha meetings to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience activities within the state, which will be conducted from April 15, 2026.