Earthquake in Nepal
KATHMANDU: A devastating earthquake in Nepal’s western region of Jajarkot, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 128 lives and left dozens injured.
The seismic event caused the collapse of houses in the affected area, and its tremors were felt as far as New Delhi in neighboring India.
The earthquake, which occurred at 11:47 pm (1802 GMT) on Friday, had a magnitude of 6.4, according to Nepal’s National Seismological Centre.
This tragic event is the deadliest earthquake in Nepal since 2015 when approximately 9,000 people lost their lives in two separate earthquakes.
Officials are concerned that the death toll from this recent earthquake may rise, given the challenges in establishing contact with the hilly area near the epicenter, located approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu. This region, where the tremors were also felt, is home to a population of 190,000 people residing in scattered villages within remote hills.
Harish Chandra Sharma, a district official in Jajarkot, expressed his concerns, saying, “The number of injured could be in the hundreds, and the deaths could go up as well.”
The casualties reported so far include 92 fatalities in Jajarkot and 36 in the neighboring Rukum West district, both located in the Karnali province. The epicenter of the earthquake was situated in the village of Ramidanda.
The injured count stands at at least 85 people in Rukum West and 55 in Jajarkot, with at least 50 individuals receiving treatment in hospitals in Jajarkot alone.
The earthquake has caused extensive damage, resulting in the collapse and cracking of numerous houses. Many residents spent the night outdoors, fearing to enter their damaged homes as aftershocks continued.
Efforts to provide aid and rescue operations are hampered by landslides triggered by the earthquake, which have blocked roads leading to the affected areas. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived in the region early on Saturday, accompanied by a 16-member army medical team, to oversee search, rescue, and relief efforts, as per his office’s statement.
Expressing his deep sorrow for the loss of life and property due to the earthquake, Prime Minister Dahal ordered security agencies to launch immediate rescue and relief operations. Media footage reveals the devastation, with collapsed multi-storied brick houses and scattered furniture, and videos show people evacuating buildings as a safety measure.
