An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck Nepal, sending tremors through parts of North India, including the Delhi-NCR region, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake occurred at 23:32:54 IST, with its epicentre located in Nepal at coordinates 28.84° latitude and 82.19° longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers. This seismic event marked the fourth instance of earthquake tremors in the Delhi-NCR area in recent times.
It was an aftershock following a powerful earthquake that struck the same area just days ago, causing significant loss of life. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage resulting from this latest seismic event.
The tremor was not limited to the affected region but was also felt in the capital, Kathmandu, causing understandable panic among the local population.
Shortly after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake, a 4.5-magnitude aftershock occurred at 4:40 p.m., according to an official from the National Earthquake Measurement Centre, as reported by news agency PTI.
The initial earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, had struck Nepal's western regions just before midnight on November 3, claiming the lives of 153 people and causing widespread devastation.
Sanjay Kumar Prajapati, a scientist at the National Centre for Seismology, explained the situation, saying, "Another earthquake has hit Nepal. The magnitude of the earthquake is 5.6...this is an aftershock of the earthquake that happened on November 3. So far 14 aftershocks have come, this was the one with the highest magnitude so far...when a big earthquake happens, aftershocks keep happening...Delhi felt the tremors for 10 seconds..."
Frequent Earthquakes in Nepal
Nepal has witnessed a series of frequent seismic activities, with this latest earthquake following three earlier tremors originating from the same region on November 3, October 22, and October 3. The initial quake on October 3 had a magnitude of 4.6, while the second, more powerful tremor measured 6.2 on the Richter scale.
The recent 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Nepal has proven to be the most destructive since 2015. It struck the Jajarkot district, approximately 500 kilometers west of Kathmandu, with the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre recording the event at 11:47 pm on Friday. The impact was felt in Kathmandu and surrounding areas, as well as in New Delhi, India.
The Nepal Army mobilised personnel to conduct rescue work in the affected regions. Reports indicate that the worst-hit areas were the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of western Nepal.
As of now, at least 157 people have been reported killed, with 105 fatalities in Jajarkot and 52 in Rukum West, news agency PTI reported. In addition, 166 individuals have been injured in Jajarkot, Rukum West, Dailekh, and Jumla districts. Among the casualties was Deputy Mayor Sarita Singh of Nalgadh Municipality in Jajarkot.
Another earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.1, occurred in Kathmandu on October 22, resulting in damage to 20 houses and panic among the population. Although no casualties were reported, landslides occurred in various areas of the Dhading district.
Nepal's Earthquake History
Nepal has a history of significant earthquakes, with the most devastating being the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in 2015. The 2015 earthquake led to around 9,000 deaths, nearly 22,000 injuries, and rendered 3.5 million people homeless.
Nepal is considered one of the most earthquake-prone countries globally, ranking 11th in this regard according to the government’s post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report.
Earthquake Activity in Delhi-NCR
The Delhi-NCR region has experienced seismic activity as well. On October 15, an earthquake measuring 3.1 in magnitude sent tremors through the area. The quake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicentre located 9 kilometers east of Faridabad, Haryana.
On October 3, tremors were felt in the NCR due to two earthquakes originating in Nepal. The first quake, with a magnitude of 4.6, occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers at 2:25 pm IST, followed by a more powerful tremor, measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, at 2:51 pm IST. These seismic events highlight the region's vulnerability to earthquakes.