A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal at midnight on Friday, resulting in a tragic loss of life and leaving over 100 individuals injured. The tremor, with its epicenter near Lamidanda in Jajarkot, was felt across a wide area, reaching the Delhi-NCR region, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The earthquake occurred at 11:47 p.m., approximately 142 kilometers from Kathmandu and 941 miles from New Delhi.
The death toll currently stands at a minimum of 128 people, with the possibility of further increases as rescue efforts continue. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as “Prachanda”, and a medical team rushed to the scene on Saturday morning. The Nepal Army and Nepal Police have been mobilized to aid in the rescue operations, though communications in several areas of Nepal have been disrupted.
Nepal Earthquake | Visuals from Jajarkot that has been ravaged by the earthquake that struck last night.
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023
Bheri Hospital, Kohalpur Medical College, Nepalgunj military hospital and Police Hospital have been made dedicated hospital for the earthquake-affected. All heli-operators… pic.twitter.com/odRG4vkBwE
The widespread devastation caused by this significant earthquake is evident in the heartbreaking images and videos emerging from Nepal, where numerous individuals found themselves trapped under collapsed structures. Among the districts impacted, Jajarkot and West Rukum have reported the highest number of casualties.
Nepal is situated in a seismically active region, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates converge. In 2015, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks claimed the lives of nearly 9,000 people, causing extensive damage and displacing countless others. This latest earthquake is the third to strike Nepal in the vicinity recently, following two earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.2 and 4.6 on October 2 and a 6.1-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Dhading, 55 kilometers from Kathmandu, on October 22.
PM Modi Expresses Sympathy for Nepal Earthquake
Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery. @cmprachanda
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sadness over the loss of lives and damage caused by the Nepal earthquake. In a tweet, he conveyed that India stands with Nepal, ready to provide all possible assistance, and offered wishes for a swift recovery to the injured.
