India just put the entire Himalayas in its highest earthquake danger zone

India Nov 28, 2025

India's new 2025 seismic map now marks the whole Himalayan region as Zone VI—the top risk level for earthquakes—bumping up the country's high-risk area from half to over 60%.
This is a big shift in how India sees and prepares for earthquake threats, especially up north.

What's changed and why it matters

The new map uses modern science to assess risks, looking at fault lines and stress points that older maps missed.
Towns near these fault zones are now counted as higher risk, too.
Plus, stricter building rules are coming—hospitals and schools must stay safe and running after a quake.
Southern India barely changes on the map, but for anyone living or traveling in the north or northeast, this update is a wake-up call about disaster readiness.