At least 37 killed, dozens injured in Nepal after 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal; tremors felt in Delhi

At least 37 killed, dozens injured in Nepal

WIONEWS, New Delhi, 04 Nov 2023: More than 30 people were killed and dozens were injured after a powerful earthquake of 6.4 magnitude struck Nepal on Friday night (Nov 3), reported the Associated Press. The tremors of the earthquake were felt in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and some other parts of north India, the National Centre for Seismology said.

At least 37 killed, dozens injured in Nepal

At least 37 people were killed and dozens injured after the earthquake hit Nepal, reported AP. The death toll is expected to rise, officials told the news agency, noting that communications were cut off with many villages.

At least 20 people have been killed Namaraj Bhattarai, a police official in the Rukum district told AP over the telephone. 

Local official Harish Chandra Sharma told Reuters that they have not been able to establish any contact at the epicentre in Jajarkot and that there are reports of 17 deaths just in the district.

Jajarkot district official Suresh Sunar told Reuters by phone, that around 20 people were also rushed to the hospital with injuries. 

"I am out in the open myself. We are collecting details but due to cold and night it is difficult to get information from remote areas," he told Reuters.

Earthquake shook buildings in New Delhi

Nepal's National Seismological Centre said the quake occurred at 11:47 pm (local time) in Jajarkot district of Karnali province.

As per the National Centre for Seismology, the epicentre of the quake was in Nepal at a depth of 10 km, about 227 km north of Ayodhya and 331 km west-northwest of Kathmandu.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:6.4, Occurred on 03-11-2023, 23:32:54 IST, Lat: 28.84 & Long: 82.19, Depth: 10 Km," NCS said in its post on X.

Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey, said that the quake was of magnitude 5.6. "Notable quake, preliminary info: M 5.6 - 42 km S of Jumla, Nepal," it wrote on X. 

The earthquake shook buildings as far as New Delhi, which is around 600 kilometres away. People immediately rushed out of their houses as the strong tremors reverberated through parts of north India and lasted for over a minute. 

This is the third time in a month that strong quakes have struck Nepal.

The Munsif diaily, 4 November 2023: A devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Nepal's Jajarkot district has resulted in the death of 35 individuals, with hundreds more hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the quake.

On the night of November 3, 2023, a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 rattled Nepal, particularly impacting the Jajarkot district. The aftermath of this seismic event has been heart-wrenching, with the death toll now confirmed to have risen to 35, and hundreds more hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the quake.

The National Seismological Centre of Nepal pinpointed the earthquake’s epicenter to the Lamidanda area in Jajarkot district. In Nepal, the situation was dire. Initial reports from India Today indicated that at least 24 individuals lost their lives, with 10 from Jajarkot and 14 from the Western Rukum district. Among the casualties were a woman and a child from the same household. However, as rescue and recovery operations continued, the death toll has tragically climbed to 35.

Jajarkot district official, Suresh Sunar, communicated the challenges faced in the immediate aftermath of the quake. “Due to the cold and night, it is difficult to get information from remote areas,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the mobilization of rescue personnel.

Local media showcased distressing visuals of multi-storied brick houses with crumbled facades, painting a grim picture of the devastation. Residents of neighboring districts, including Dailekh, Salyan, and Rolpa, reported injuries and property damage. Many of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the Jajarkot District Hospital.

The Himalayan nation of Nepal is no stranger to earthquakes. In recent history, a series of quakes in October 2023, with the strongest being of magnitude 6.2, had jolted the country. Furthermore, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 resulted in the death of over 12,000 people and caused extensive damage to nearly a million structures.

This recent earthquake serves as a somber reminder of the region’s tectonic vulnerabilities. As Nepal grapples with the aftermath, international aid and support are crucial. The global community is urged to come forward and assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

For those in affected areas, experts advise staying informed, following safety guidelines, and being prepared for potential aftershocks. The importance of open spaces during tremors and the dangers of re-entering buildings immediately after a quake are being reiterated by safety experts.

PTI and Agencies, New Delhi, Nov 3, 2023 :  A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.4 jolted Nepal on Friday night sending waves of tremors across north India, including the national capital region.

The temblor struck at 11.32 pm forcing people to rush out of their homes just as they were preparing for the weekend. There were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property due to the earthquake.

The National Centre for Seismology said the epicentre of the earthquake was in Nepal, about 227 km north of Ayodhya and 331 km west northwest of Kathmandu. The focal depth of the quake was 10 km, the NCS added.

The temblor struck at 11.32 pm forcing people to rush out of their homes just as they were preparing for the weekend.

The National Centre for Seismology said the epicentre of the earthquake was in Nepal, about 227 km north of Ayodhya and 331 km west northwest of Kathmandu.

"The tremors were felt for quite some time as we were watching television and enjoying the weekend," said Inderjit Singh, a resident of Gurugram.

Gopal, a resident of Ghaziabad, said the tremors were felt for more than 15 seconds. "I could also hear the window panes rattling".

This is the third time in a month that strong quakes have struck Nepal.

The latest earthquake was also felt in parts of Noida and Greater Noida, adjoining Delhi, prompting several people living in high-rises to rush out of their buildings.

"The tremors felt really strong. The feeling was scary," said Pratyush Singh, a resident of a group housing society in Sector 76 Noida.

People also took to social media to share videos of moving articles like fans and chandeliers due to the tremors.

Some also carried their pet cats and dogs with them as they rushed out of their houses during the quake.

"I first thought the tremors were because of a passing vehicle, but soon saw the ceiling fan shaking. It went on for a while," said Rupesh Upadhyay, a resident of a high-rise apartment in Noida.