Significant Earthquake Strikes Kathmandu, Tremors Felt in Bihar

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kathmandu early Friday, injuring four individuals and causing damage in Sindhupalchowk district. Tremors were also felt in various Bihar districts, with no reports of serious consequences. Nepal’s seismic vulnerability is underscored by past catastrophic events, which continue to raise public awareness.

Kathmandu experienced a strong earthquake early Friday morning, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals in both Kathmandu and nearby regions. Measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, the quake occurred at 2:51 AM, with its epicenter located in Bhairabkunda, Sindhupalchowk district, approximately 65 kilometers east of Kathmandu, as reported by the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre. Following the tremor, several residences in Sindhupalchowk were noted to have developed cracks, and tremors were felt across southern and eastern Nepal.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, many residents in Kathmandu and surrounding areas evacuated buildings in a state of panic. Two people sustained injuries in Kathmandu, while an inmate at the Chautara prison was hurt while attempting to flee the premises. An elderly man in a Sindhupalchowk village was also injured as he hurriedly exited his home following the earthquake.

Nepal is situated in a highly active seismic zone (Seismic zones IV and V), rendering the country particularly susceptible to earthquakes. The most catastrophic quake recorded in recent history occurred in April 2015, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake resulted in over 9,000 fatalities and severe damage to more than a million structures.

The earthquake was also felt in Bihar, India, with notable tremors reported in districts such as Muzaffarpur and Samastipur. Umesh Kumar Singh, a meteorologist from the Bihar government’s Disaster Management Department, indicated that the quake occurred around 2:35 AM, triggering tremors in regions close to the Indo-Nepal border, although these tremors only persisted for a few seconds. Fortunately, no damage to property or loss of life has been reported in Bihar.

According to the Disaster Management Department, tremors were experienced in Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Patna, Gopalganj, Saran, West Champaran, East Champaran, and the surrounding districts. The earthquake in Nepal has garnered significant attention, trending on Google within hours of the event, reflecting public concern and interest.

In conclusion, the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Kathmandu resulted in injuries and structural damage, highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Remarkably, tremors were also felt in several districts of Bihar, India, although there were no reports of harm or damage. This recent event serves as a reminder of the potential for natural disasters in this seismically active region.

Original Source: www.onmanorama.com