Nuclear Impact Analysis · Nepal

Is Kathmandu safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Kathmandu and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 1,500,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Kathmandu city centre sits 801.6 km from New Delhi government district, the most plausible strategic target in the area (high targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 300 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 1.2M, injuries: 1.5M

Run the interactive simulation for Kathmandu →

What a strike on New Delhi government district would mean

A 300 kt detonation produces a fireball 646 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 2.3 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 4.6 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 10.4 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 6.9 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Kathmandu the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Kathmandu

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
New Delhi government districtgovernment802 km300 kthigh
Islamabadgovernment1347 km150 kthigh
Delingha ICBM basemilitary1555 km800 kthigh
Mumbai (BKC financial)city1592 km300 ktmedium
Xining missile brigademilitary1835 km300 ktmedium

Key blast radii (300 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball646 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast2.3 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast4.6 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns6.9 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.4 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast10.4 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Kathmandu can prepare

With a population density of 19,500 people/km², Kathmandu's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Kathmandu →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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