Reviewing Nepal’s Deadly Earthquakes Since 2015,
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck Nepal, leaving a tragic toll of at least 132 people killed and over 100 injured. Rescue efforts were underway in mountain villages as authorities braced for the possibility of the death toll rising. Communication was severely disrupted in various parts of the Himalayan nation due to the quake.
Nepal, situated in a seismically active region, has had a history of enduring tremors. The most devastating earthquake prior to this recent event occurred in 2015, claiming the lives of around 9,000 people. The 2015 earthquake also caused extensive damage to historical sites, temples, entire towns, and over a million homes, resulting in a staggering economic cost of $6 billion.
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The deadliest earthquake in Nepal’s history before 2015 was in 1934, which resulted in the loss of at least 8,519 lives in Nepal and also caused casualties in neighboring India.
The recent earthquake’s impact extended beyond Nepal, with tremors felt in Delhi-NCR and several neighboring states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Similar jolts had been felt in the region earlier in October.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ leaves for earthquake-affected areas of the country.
(Pics Source: Nepal officials) pic.twitter.com/fgxK2Ttep6
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023
Here’s a chronological look at significant earthquakes in Nepal since 2015:
April 2015: A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck Nepal, resulting in a total casualty count of around 9,000 when a second tremor followed 17 days later.
September 16, 2020: A magnitude 6 earthquake shook Nepal, with tremors felt in the capital, Kathmandu.
November 9, 2022: An earthquake in western Nepal led to the tragic loss of at least six villagers, including four children, as it destroyed mud and brick houses in remote communities nestled in the Himalayan foothills.
November 12, 2022: An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck Nepal, causing tremors and shaking houses in both Nepal and India.
January 24, 2023: A quake with a magnitude of 5.6 resulted in the loss of one life and damage to more than two dozen houses in a remote district of Nepal. The earthquake’s tremors extended all the way to New Delhi.
October 3, 2023: Western Nepal faced two successive earthquakes on this date, measuring magnitudes 6.3 and 5.3. The tremors left 17 people injured, homes in disrepair, and caused a landslide that obstructed a crucial highway in the Bajhang district, which is adjacent to India.
November 3, 2023: A strong earthquake struck the western area of Jajarkot, resulting in at least 132 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The quake caused house collapses and even shook buildings in the neighboring capital of New Delhi in India. The earthquake was registered at a magnitude of 5.7 by the German Research Centre for Geosciences, while the US Geological Survey reported a slightly lower measurement of 5.6.
