7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Nepal and Tibet, Tremors Felt Across Northern India Including Patna, Katihar, Siliguri, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Sikkim, Delhi NCR

Agencies and KalimNews, January 7, 2025, Kolkata: A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 1:05 AM UTC (6:35 AM local time), sending shockwaves across the region. The epicenter of the quake was located 93 kilometers northeast of Lobuche, near the Himalayan region, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremors were also felt in several parts of northern India, including Darjeeling, Siliguri (6.37 AM), Jalpaiguri (6.35 AM), Coochbehar, Katihar, Patna, and the Delhi-NCR region at around 6:35 AM local time (6.3. Residents in these areas reported shaking, but there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. The earthquake was also felt across parts of West Bengal and northeastern states, including Assam.

The earthquake lasted for approximately 15 seconds, and authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, as aftershocks are likely. Additionally, two aftershocks of magnitudes 4.7 and 4.9 were recorded from the same area in Tibet, near the Nepal-Tibet border. These aftershocks followed the initial tremor and heightened concerns of potential damage.

According to data from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the first aftershock occurred at 7:02 AM IST, registering a magnitude of 4.7. Its epicenter was located at latitude 28.60° North and longitude 87.68° East, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Just five minutes later, another tremor of magnitude 4.9 was recorded at 7:07 AM IST, with its epicenter at latitude 28.68° North and longitude 87.54° East, at a depth of 30 kilometers.

According to the National Centre for Seismology, the quake also affected Tibet's Xizang region, where it struck at 6:35 AM local time. The region, known for its seismically active nature, was shaken by the powerful quake, though no significant damage or casualties have been reported as of now.

In Nepal, the tremor caused residents in the capital, Kathmandu, to rush out of their homes in panic. Streets were filled with people who were awakened by the shaking. The 7.1 magnitude quake, while strong, did not result in any reported fatalities or structural damage in Nepal so far, according to local authorities. This comes as a relief to many, especially considering the catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated the region in 2015, killing nearly 9,000 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure.

In neighboring Tibet, Chinese authorities also reported a strong earthquake that shook the mountainous region near the Nepal-Tibet border. The earthquake in Tibet, which occurred at 6:51 AM local time, was recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 by the USGS, though China's earthquake monitoring agency classified it at 6.8. The tremor was felt in several communities located within a 5-kilometer radius of the epicenter, situated at an altitude of about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) at a depth of about 10 km.. 

The earthquake's epicenter in Tibet was approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Residents in nearby areas reported strong tremors, prompting them to rush out of their homes in alarm. Despite the intensity of the quake, Chinese state media has reported no immediate casualties or significant damage. Local authorities are continuing to assess the situation, and further updates regarding the potential impacts, including the risk of landslides, are awaited.

This earthquake follows a series of seismic events in the region, with authorities and seismologists closely monitoring developments. Given Nepal's location in a highly active seismic zone, which has witnessed major earthquakes in the past, including the deadly 2015 Gorkha quake, both Nepalese and Indian authorities have issued advisories urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential aftershocks.

Rescue teams in both Nepal and India are on high alert, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked citizens to stay informed and follow the guidance of local authorities. Emergency services are ready to respond should any structural damage or casualties be reported in the coming hours.

At this time, no fatalities or severe damage have been confirmed, and the situation is being closely monitored by both local and international agencies.