Strong Earthquake Shakes Kathmandu, Tremors Felt in Bihar

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kathmandu early Friday morning, injuring at least four individuals and causing structural damage in Sindhupalchowk district. The tremor, which triggered panic among residents, was felt in various parts of Nepal and Bihar. Fortunately, there were no severe consequences reported in Bihar, emphasizing the importance of disaster preparedness in seismically active areas.

On Friday morning, Kathmandu experienced a powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located in the Bhairabkunda region of Sindhupalchowk district, approximately 65 kilometers east of the capital. The tremor occurred at 2:51 AM, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals within Kathmandu and its neighboring areas. The earthquake also left some residential structures in Sindhupalchowk district damaged, exhibiting cracks as reported by the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre.

In the wake of the earthquake, panic ensued across Kathmandu and surrounding regions, prompting numerous residents to evacuate their homes. Two individuals sustained injuries directly in Kathmandu, while one inmate at Chautara prison was hurt while attempting to flee. Additionally, an elderly man in a Sindhupalchowk village was injured during his attempt to exit his house following the quake’s occurrence, according to officials.

Nepal is situated within one of the planet’s most seismically active zones categorized as Seismic zones IV and V, rendering it particularly susceptible to earthquakes. The nation previously endured a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in April 2015, which tragically claimed over 9,000 lives and caused extensive damage to more than a million structures.

The shockwaves from the earthquake were also felt across various regions in Bihar, India, impacting cities such as Muzaffarpur and Samastipur, particularly in districts close to the Indo-Nepal border. Umesh Kumar Singh, a meteorologist from the Disaster Management Department of the Bihar government, confirmed that the tremors were recorded approximately at 2:35 AM and lasted only for a few seconds without reports of any property damage or casualties in the area.

Tremors were reported in several other districts, including Patna, Gopalganj, Siwan, and Champaran, further evidencing the earthquake’s reach. Following the event, the topic of the Nepal earthquake has surged in trending queries online, reflecting widespread concern and interest in the situation.

The recent earthquake in Kathmandu has resulted in several injuries and property damage in Sindhupalchowk district, highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Panic among residents was evident, as many fled their homes into the streets. Fortunately, the impact in neighboring Bihar was minimal, with no significant damage reported. This incident serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic risks and the necessity for continued disaster preparedness.

Original Source: www.onmanorama.com