In a devastating turn of events, Nepal was struck by a powerful earthquake that has claimed the lives of at least 128 people, leaving dozens more injured. The incident was confirmed by local authorities in the capital city of Kathmandu, where panic and chaos gripped the city in the aftermath of the quake.
The earthquake’s epicenter was near the Jajarkot district, and a representative of the local administration in that region has expressed concerns that the number of casualties may rise as rescue and relief efforts continue. Unfortunately, confirmed figures for deaths and injuries from other parts of the mountainous region affected by the quake were not initially available.
According to the National Earthquake Monitoring Centre (NEMRC), the earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.4 and occurred at 11:47 pm local time on a fateful Friday evening. However, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.6.
The aftershocks that followed further heightened the sense of unease in the affected areas, with at least three aftershocks measuring a magnitude of 4.2 or higher occurring within the following hour.
The impact of the earthquake was not limited to Nepal alone, as it was felt in the northern regions of neighboring India, including the bustling capital of New Delhi. Reports from The Times of India and other Indian media outlets confirmed the tremors, underscoring the far-reaching effects of this natural disaster.
As rescue teams work tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid to those affected, the people of Nepal and the surrounding regions are left grappling with the grim reality of this tragedy. The world watches in solidarity, hoping for a swift recovery and relief for the affected communities.