Nepal Earthquake Updates: At least 128 killed after strong quake jolts Nepal; tremors felt in Delhi

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• Nov 4, 2023 | Dhupali Das

A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the remote mountainous region of western Nepal...

Digital Desk: A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the remote mountainous region of western Nepal just before midnight on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least 128 lives, with many more injured. The epicenter of the earthquake was reported to be in Jajarkot district and was recorded at 11:47 p.m., according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre.

The impact of the earthquake was felt not only in the affected region but also reached the capital city, Kathmandu, and its surrounding districts. It even jolted areas in neighboring India, including New Delhi.

The worst-hit areas were identified as Jajarkot and Rukum districts, both located in western Nepal. State-run Nepal Television reported that these districts suffered the most extensive damage.

As per the Home Ministry's reports, the earthquake resulted in 128 fatalities and left 140 individuals injured in Jajarkot and Rukum. The extent of property damage was not immediately clear, but authorities fear that the death toll could rise as more information becomes available.

In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal, also known as 'Prachanda,' along with a medical team, headed towards the quake-affected region on Saturday morning. The Nepal Army and Nepal Police personnel were promptly mobilized to carry out rescue and relief efforts.

The Prime Minister's office issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property, emphasizing the immediate mobilization of all three security bodies for rescue and relief operations.

Injured individuals were rushed to the Surkhet District Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. The Prime Minister has directed security agencies to initiate rescue and relief efforts promptly.

However, the progress of these efforts has been hindered by blocked roads and damaged bridges in the affected areas. Despite these challenges, all three security agencies – the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force – are tirelessly working on rescue operations.

The situation has been further compounded by four aftershocks, each registering more than 4 in magnitude, which followed the initial earthquake.

Nepal is located in a seismically active region where the Indian and Tibetan tectonic plates converge. These plates advance towards each other at a rate of about two meters per century, leading to mounting pressure that is periodically released through earthquakes. The country faced a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015, along with subsequent aftershocks, resulting in the tragic loss of around 9,000 lives.

As rescue and relief efforts continue in the wake of this recent earthquake, the people of Nepal are once again confronted with the harsh realities of living in an earthquake-prone region.