Nepal Hit by Devastating 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Northwest Region

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit North Western Nepal at around midnight yesterday November 03, 2023, as per the National Earthquake and Monitoring Center. The epicenter of the quake was Jajarkot. There have been reports major loss of major loss of human lives. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" along with health and other officials has reached Jajarkot to meet with the victims' families, and injured persons and to take stock of the situation to direct the necessary action. Just weeks ago, Nepal was struck by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Dhading. 

As per the latest reports around 160 people lost their lives with another around 380 people injured and admitted to hospitals. Jajarkot district suffered the most damage with around 105 lives lost. Similarly in Rukum district, the number of human casualties is around 55. The toll is expected to rise as the report of the whole scale of damage is still coming. The earthquake today was felt across the nation and in the northern part of India too. Aftershocks were felt throughout the night. 

As per the reports pouring in, many houses are damaged and the land opened up in many places. Helicopters are being used to rescue people. Hospitals are asking for more help as they are close to being full.

Nepalese were just celebrating their selection in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup yesterday. This earthquake with the loss of lives will hit on that joy and happiness.

Major earthquakes in Nepal are not very rare. Being situated in a high seismological zone, it experiences big quakes from time to time, the latest being the 7.8 magnitude on April 25, 2015, that killed more than 9000 people and injured and rendered homeless many more, which was followed by another 7.3 magnitude in Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.