An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 jolted Nepal on 3 November, according to the National Center for Seismology.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences over the lost lives and the damage caused in Nepal by the massive quake, adding that India stands in solidarity with Nepal.
He took to the microblogging site X and wrote, “Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery.”
At least 132 people were killed in a strong earthquake that originated in Nepal’s Jajarkot district Friday midnight. While 80 people were killed in Jajarkot and Rukum districts of the country, more than 140 people sustained injuries.
Four hospitals — Bheri Hospital, Kohalpur Medical College, Nepalgunj military hospital and Police Hospital — in the country have been made dedicated hospital for the earthquake-affected. As per officials, some injured persons are also undergoing treatment at the Surkhet District Hospital.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ early on Saturday left for visiting the affected areas of the country.
Nepal’s officials have said all the helicopter operators have been told to be on standby to assist in airlifting the injured from the affected areas. Regular flight operations have also been suspended for the same. The officials added that instructions have been given to station and ambulance at Nepalgunj Airport and military barrack helipad.
The prime minister has also instructed all the security agencies — the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force — to immediately carry out rescue and relief works.
The worse hit districts were that of western Nepal – Jajarkot and Rukum — said a state-run Nepal Television.
Several buildings and structures are in rubble in the aftermath of the massive earthquake. As the roads were blocked and bridges damaged, rescue and relief works on the incident site have been obstructed, according to officials.
According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district was recorded at 11:47 pm.
The Impact of the quake felt in some states of neighbouring India. The national capital, New Delhi, also felt strong tremors late on Friday.
The tremors from the quake hit the far western side of the Himalayan country at a depth of just 18 kilometres (11 miles), said the US Geological Survey.
Nepal lies on a major geological faultline wherein the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate. This led to the formation of Himalayas ages ago. It must also be noted that earthquakes are a regular occurrence in this Himalayan nation.
(With PTI inputs)
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The NCS said that the earthquake occurred at 11:32 p.m. forcing people to rush out of their homes just as they were preparing for the weekend. This is the third time in a month that strong quakes have struck Nepal.
Apart from the Delhi-NCR region, the jolts were also felt in neighboring states regions Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Local officials had no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage, reported Hindustan Times, adding, the powerful earthquake shook buildings in the national capital.
Earlier on 15 October, both Delhi and NCR felt strong tremors, after similar jolts were felt on 3 October.
Public Reactions:
" I was watching TV and felt like a little dizzy all of a sudden...then I saw on the TV about the earthquake and suddenly, I came out of my home" Tushar, a resident of Noida, told the news agency ANI.
"I was lying on bed and it started shaking and I noticed even the ceiling fan was moving so I came out of my home," said a resident of Patna.
"It took some time to realize what was happening...", the news agency quoted a resident of Delhi as saying, while another said, “I was lying on the bed and the bed started shaking, I called my sister who was sleeping next to me...when we went to the balcony, there was a lot of noise coming from outside..."
