A powerful earthquake rocked Nepal’s northwest region on Friday night, killing at least 157 people and injuring hundreds more, according to officials. The quake, which measured 5.7 in magnitude, was the deadliest to hit the country since 2015, when a 7.8 magnitude quake killed nearly 9,000 people.
The epicenter of the quake was in Ramidanda, a village in Jajarkot district, about 500 km (300 miles) west of the capital Kathmandu. The quake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time (18:02 GMT) and was felt in western Nepal and northern India. It triggered landslides that blocked roads and hampered rescue efforts.
Many houses collapsed or developed cracks, forcing thousands of residents to spend the night in the open amid cold temperatures and frequent aftershocks. The National Seismological Centre recorded 175 aftershocks, six of them above magnitude 4.0.
The worst-hit areas were Jajarkot and neighboring Rukum West districts, where most of the fatalities occurred. The deputy mayor of Nalgad municipality in Jajarkot, Sarita Singh, was among the victims. Many of the injured were airlifted to hospitals in nearby towns or Kathmandu.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal flew to the affected area on Saturday morning with a 16-member army medical team to oversee the search, rescue and relief operations. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the government’s support.
The prime minister’s office also appealed to political parties, social workers and the public to donate funds and materials to help the survivors. India and China offered to assist in the rescue and relief efforts, but the government said it was carrying out the preliminary operations by itself.
The quake is a reminder of the vulnerability of Nepal, a landlocked country in the Himalayas, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. The country is still recovering from the 2015 quake, which destroyed many historic sites and left more than a million people homeless.
The government has been criticized for its slow and inadequate response to the 2015 disaster, which exposed the lack of preparedness and coordination among the authorities and agencies. Many people are still living in temporary shelters or unsafe buildings, waiting for reconstruction funds and materials.
The latest quake has added to the challenges faced by the country, which is also grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impacts. The quake has also raised concerns about the safety of the country’s hydropower projects, which are vital for its energy security and development.
However, despite the hardships and uncertainties, many Nepalis have shown resilience and solidarity in the face of the calamity. They have been helping each other with food, water, blankets and tents, and volunteering in the rescue and relief efforts. They have also been expressing their gratitude to the local and international organizations and individuals who have extended their support and sympathy.
As the country mourns the loss of lives and property, it also hopes to rebuild and recover from the quake with renewed strength and determination.
Source: [Reuters]
