Strong earthquakes in North India cause 132 deaths and over 100 injuries in Nepal at midnight

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck Nepal at midnight on Friday, killing at least 132 people and injuring over 100 more. The tremor was felt not only in the Delhi-NCR area but also in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred at 11:47 p.m., was near Lamidanda in Jajrakot, which is 142 kilometers from Kathmandu and 941 miles from New Delhi.
The number of fatalities in Nepal may increase as rescue efforts continue. Pushpakamal Dahal, also known as “Prachanda,” the prime minister, and a medical team made their way to the scene on Saturday morning. According to authorities, members of the Nepal Army and Nepal Police have been called up to assist with rescue operations. In Nepal, communications were disrupted in several locations.

Images and images of debris coming from Nepal show the terrible effects of the powerful earthquake, which trapped hundreds of people inside collapsing homes. While news of fatalities are still rolling in from other districts, Jajarkot and West Rukum districts have reported the highest number of casualties.

Nepal is prone to earthquakes because it is located where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates converge. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks claimed almost 9,000 lives in 2015. It was the third earthquake to strike Nepal around midnight on Friday. Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.2 and 4.6 struck Nepal on October 2. A 6.1 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter of near Dhading, 55 kilometers from Kathmandu, hit Nepal on October 22.

The earthquake in Nepal and its aftermath

The National Earthquake Monitoring Centre reports that at 12.08 am, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake occurred, followed by a 4.2 at 12.29, a 4.3 at 12.35, and a 4.6 at 4.16 am. Many individuals stayed out in the open among the wreckage throughout the night to rescue stranded victims because they were afraid of the aftershocks. A post on X from the prime minister’s office said, “Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in the earthquake on Friday night and has mobilized all the three security bodies for the immediate rescue and relief.”

In his message to the people of Nepal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his country is prepared to provide whatever support that is needed. “Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery,” PM Modi said on Twitter.