Tragically, on that fateful Friday, a strong earthquake struck a rural part of western Nepal, killing over 100 people. The faraway capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, as well as towns in nearby India, including Delhi, were all severely affected by the earthquake shocks, which left a path of devastation and mayhem in their wake.
About 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Kathmandu, in the untamed districts of Jajarkot and Rukum, was where the epicenter of the earthquake was found. The buildings collapsed and lives were irrevocably changed as the earth beneath the gullible residents trembled, wreaking havoc instantly. Security personnel were quickly called into action to launch rescue efforts in the impacted areas, where the situation had quickly gotten worse.
As survivors, their homes reduced to rubble, scurried to save their loved ones from the wreckage, reports from the scene revealed scenes of agony and despair. Pictures of the eerie exteriors of multi-story brick homes reduced to mounds of rubble appeared in the local media. People bravely combed through the rubble in the dead of night, looking for life, hoping to see their loved ones again.
The Jajarkot hospital was overflowing with patients in the middle of the mayhem and uncertainty. In the middle of the catastrophe, medical professionals gave the victims constant attention and care, providing a glimpse of hope. But there was no denying the seriousness of the situation or the obvious need for further help.
The area felt three more earthquakes within an hour of the first one, which made the residents in the area even more afraid and anxious. In an attempt to protect themselves from possible aftershocks, many decided to spend the night outside rather than in their damaged homes, choosing the perceived safety of the open air.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the prime minister of Nepal, reportedly traveled for the earthquake-affected area as soon as possible to address the situation. His presence in the middle of the crisis served as a testament to the seriousness of the situation and the government’s will to help the impacted populace.
The Jajarkot district police chief, Suresh Sunar, discussed the challenges in compiling detailed information about the growing tragedy. He talked about how hard it is to get to isolated places because of the bad weather and low temperatures. Notwithstanding these challenges, attempts were being made to compile an accurate picture of the scope of the damage and the requirements of the impacted populations.
The earthquake occurred at 23:47 local time (18:02 GMT), and the Monitoring and Research Center in Nepal recorded and studied it. With a magnitude of 5.6, the United States Geological Survey classified the earthquake as shallow, meaning it was close to the Earth’s surface.
Because of its geographic location, Nepal is especially vulnerable to seismic activity. The country is located in a region known for its frequent tectonic movements—the Himalayan mountain range. A 6.3-magnitude earthquake that shook the western district of Bajhang just last month caused casualties and worry among the locals.
This terrible incident is a somber reminder of the devastating earthquakes that rocked Nepal in 2015. The first, which occurred on April 25, 2015, and had a destructive magnitude of 7.8 earthquake, was the main cause of damage and fatalities. Numerous aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.3 in May of the same year, intensified the catastrophe that followed this catastrophic disaster.
Credit: Sky News Australia
Over 800,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged as a result of the 2015 earthquakes, which mostly affected Nepal’s western and central regions. Historic monuments collapsed, including a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The majority of the damage was caused by government buildings, highways, and numerous villages north of Kathmandu, leaving the country in a deep state of sorrow and hopelessness.
In conclusion, the recent earthquake in western Nepal has revealed the area’s susceptibility to seismic activity once more, with disastrous results for the local populace. The prompt action taken by government officials, medical professionals, and security forces demonstrates the strength and unity of the Nepalese people in the face of hardship. The memory of the 2015 earthquakes serves as a sobering reminder of the necessity for ongoing awareness and preparedness in the face of nature’s devastating forces, especially as the country struggles with this most recent catastrophe.