Kathmandu, Nov 04 (The Street Press India) – On Friday, just before midnight, Nepal was rocked by a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 140 lives and leaving numerous others injured. This devastating quake caused the destruction of hundreds of homes in the remote mountainous region of the Himalayan country, marking the most significant seismic event since the devastating 2015 earthquake.
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre reported that the earthquake, with its epicenter located in the Jajarkot district approximately 500km west of Kathmandu, struck at 11:47 pm.
This earthquake is the most devastating to hit Nepal since the 2015 earthquake, which claimed the lives of approximately 9,000 people and left over 22,000 injured. The tremors from this recent quake were felt not only in Kathmandu and its neighboring districts but also in New Delhi, India.
Following the earthquake, the Nepal Army promptly deployed its personnel to initiate rescue operations at the scene, as confirmed by Nepal Army spokesperson Krishna Prasad Bhandari. The hardest-hit areas were reported to be the Jajarkot and Rukum districts in western Nepal, as conveyed by state-run Nepal Television.
The death toll resulting from the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum has now reached 140, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s secretariat. An equal number of individuals have been injured, and it is anticipated that the death toll may continue to rise. Tragically, Deputy Mayor Sarita Singh of Nalgadh Municipality in Jajarkot was among the casualties of the earthquake, as reported by officials.
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center has recorded approximately 159 aftershocks in the wake of last night’s earthquake. Due to the fear of further quakes and potential damage to their homes, many people spent the night outdoors. There are reports of people bravely digging through the rubble in the darkness to rescue those trapped within the remains of collapsed buildings, as shared on social media.
Additionally, Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ visited the earthquake-affected region on Saturday morning, accompanied by a medical team, to assess the situation and provide assistance.
During his visit, Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ assessed the extent of the damage and conducted inspections of the affected areas, working closely with the Chief District Officer. Following the visit, he returned to Surkhet from Jajarkot, bringing with him seven injured individuals and their family members.
Both the Nepal Army and Nepal Police have been actively engaged in rescue operations, as reported by officials. The Prime Minister’s office released a statement expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in the Friday night earthquake and confirming the mobilization of all three security bodies for immediate rescue and relief efforts.
जाजरकोटको रामीडाँडा केन्द्रविन्दु भएर शुक्रबार राति ११ः४७ मा गएको भूकम्पबाट भएको मानवीय तथा भौतिक क्षतिप्रति सम्माननीय प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल दाहाल “प्रचण्ड”ले गहिरो दुख व्यक्त गर्दै घाइतेहरुको तत्काल उद्धार र राहतका लागि ३ वटै सुरक्षा निकायलाई परिचालित गर्नुभएको छ।
— PMO Nepal (@PM_nepal_) November 3, 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sadness over the loss of lives and damage caused by the earthquake in Nepal. He conveyed India’s solidarity with the people of Nepal and offered to provide any possible assistance. Modi also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, sharing his message on a social media platform and tagging his counterpart, Prachanda.
Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery. @cmprachanda
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2023
Injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the Surkhet District Hospital, as per officials. Prime Minister Prachanda has issued instructions to security agencies to promptly conduct rescue and relief operations.
President Ramchandra Paudel has expressed his sorrow over the loss of human lives and property caused by the earthquake. The Office of the President has confirmed that he has urged the government and all relevant authorities to ensure the effectiveness of rescue and relief efforts in the earthquake-affected areas.
The obstructed roads and damaged bridges have posed challenges for rescue and relief efforts on the incident site, as reported by officials.
Nepal is susceptible to earthquakes due to its location on the boundary where the Tibetan and Indian tectonic plates meet, gradually advancing two meters closer to each other every century, leading to the release of pressure in the form of earthquakes.
Recent seismic activity in Nepal includes a 4.8-magnitude earthquake in Sudurpaschim province on October 16, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Kathmandu on October 22, and a 3-magnitude quake in Kathmandu on October 3.
Bharat Koirala, a senior seismologist at the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre in Nepal, explained that the ongoing underground collision between the Indian and Tibetan plates has been accumulating tremendous energy. Western Nepal is particularly vulnerable to more significant earthquakes due to this geological activity.
The devastating 2015 earthquake had a profound impact, resulting in the destruction or damage of over 800,000 houses, primarily in western and central districts, as reported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Government buildings, sections of roads, and Kathmandu Valley’s historic UNESCO World Heritage sites were also among the casualties, with many villages north of Kathmandu flattened.
