A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kathmandu and Sindhupalchowk early Friday, injuring at least four people and causing property damage. Tremors were felt in bordering districts of Bihar, where no casualties or damage were reported. Nepal remains vulnerable to seismic activity due to its tectonic positioning.
A significant earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck Kathmandu early Friday morning, with its epicenter in Sindhupalchowk, located 65 kilometers east of the capital. According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the quake occurred at 2:51 AM. As a result, at least four individuals sustained injuries in Kathmandu and nearby areas, while some houses in Sindhupalchowk reported cracks due to the tremor’s intensity.
In Kathmandu and surrounding regions, the quake caused widespread panic, prompting many residents to leave their homes. Reports indicate that two people were injured in Kathmandu, and an inmate in Chautara prison was hurt while attempting to flee. Additionally, an elderly man in Sindhupalchowk suffered injuries during a rushed exit from his home following the earthquake.
Nepal is situated in a highly active seismic zone, classified as Seismic zones IV and V, which enhances its susceptibility to earthquakes. The region’s most devastating event occurred in April 2015, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake resulted in over 9,000 fatalities and damaged approximately one million structures.
The tremors from the earthquake were also felt in several areas of Bihar, India. According to Umesh Kumar Singh, a meteorologist from the Bihar government’s disaster management department, the earthquake caused noticeable tremors in districts near the Indo-Nepal border, lasting only a few seconds. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or casualties in Bihar.
Locations in Bihar such as Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Patna, and Gopalganj reported feeling the earthquake, highlighting the event’s widespread impact. The earthquake has garnered significant attention, trending on Google searches in recent hours.
In conclusion, the recent earthquake in Kathmandu has caused injuries and structural damage, particularly in Sindhupalchowk district. While the quake created panic among residents and affected individuals in Bihar, fortunately, no significant damage or fatalities were reported in India. Nepal’s geological vulnerability to seismic activity remains a concern, as underscored by the past devastating earthquakes.
Original Source: www.onmanorama.com
