Nepal faces a daunting recovery mission after a powerful midnight earthquake rattled its western region, leaving over 130 casualties and hundreds injured. Search and rescue teams are racing against time to reach remote mountain villages cut off by landslides and debris in the quake’s aftermath.
Officials warn that the death toll may rise as communication is restored with isolated areas. Discrepancies in reported magnitudes, 5.6 according to the U.S. Geological Survey and 6.4 by Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, are common in the wake of such events.
The earthquake struck near midnight, catching people in their sleep, and tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, India.
Villagers spent the night outdoors, fearing aftershocks. In the Jajarkot district, the epicenter, 95 people lost their lives, and 500 sustained injuries. Harishchandra Sharma, a senior local official, reported significant damage to homes.
In Rukum West, another affected district, 38 deaths and over 100 injuries were confirmed. The local hospital in Jajarkot struggled to accommodate patients, with some receiving treatment on balconies and in hallways.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, mobilized the army and police forces for rescue and relief operations.
Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, are coordinating relief support to aid affected districts.
Nepal, known for its mountainous terrain, sits atop a tectonic fault line, making earthquakes a recurring challenge. The 2015 earthquake, measuring 7.8 in magnitude, claimed thousands of lives and damaged countless structures, imposing significant economic costs on one of South Asia’s poorest nations.
Prime Minister Modi Extends Support to Nepal Earthquake Victims
New Delhi – Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and destruction caused by the Nepal earthquake. India stands in solidarity with Nepal and is ready to provide assistance to the affected. The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with the affected families, and he wishes a speedy recovery for the injured