In a devastating seismic event, a formidable earthquake rocked western Nepal on Friday, leading to the loss of at least 69 lives and leaving dozens wounded. Witnesses reported the collapse of numerous houses in the affected region, with the tremors causing buildings to sway even hundreds of miles away.
The Nepal National Seismological Centre initially estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.4. However, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) later revised it down to 5.7, while the US Geological Survey gauged it at 5.6.
The epicenter of the earthquake was situated in Jajarkot, a hilly district with a population of 190,000 and scattered villages nestled in remote hills. Local authorities have faced significant challenges establishing communication in the area near the epicenter.
According to Harish Chandra Sharma, a local official in Jajarkot, his district alone witnessed the tragic loss of at least 34 lives. In the neighboring Rukum West district, police official Namaraj Bhattarai reported a grim tally of at least 35 casualties.
Rescue and search teams have encountered roadblocks created by dry landslides resulting from the earthquake, hindering their access to the affected areas, Bhattarai lamented.
The hamlet of Ramidanda, the precise location of the earthquake’s epicenter, remains beyond the reach of authorities at this time.
Approximately 20 individuals have been transported to hospitals with various injuries, as reported by Suresh Sunar, a district official from Jajarkot. He mentioned that he is currently in an open area, actively gathering details. However, obtaining information from remote regions has been a daunting task, particularly in the cold of night.
The earthquake, as noted by Nepal’s National Seismological Centre, occurred at 11:47 pm (18:02 GMT) in Jajarkot, which is situated in Karnali province, approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.
Local media outlets shared footage displaying the shattered facades of multistory brick houses. The tremors reverberated in neighboring districts and reached as far as Kathmandu, where residents experienced the ground shaking.
Houses were reported to have collapsed, prompting residents to hastily evacuate their homes. Authorities, such as police official Santosh Rokka, are actively seeking detailed information regarding the extent of the damage.
The effects of the earthquake were felt as far away as New Delhi, some 600 kilometers (375 miles) distant, causing buildings to sway and leading to evacuations. Videos shared on social media platforms captured people rushing into the streets in response to the seismic event.
By Reuters
