An earthquake in Nepal resulted in a tragic loss of at least 128 lives and leaving numerous individuals injured. Officials confirmed this unfortunate news on Saturday.
The earthquake's impact was so severe that it caused houses in the affected area to collapse, while its tremors were felt as far as New Delhi in neighboring India, where buildings shook, as per Reuters.
Nepal Struck by 5.6 Earthquake
People walk over the ruins of houses in the aftermath of an earthquake at Jajarkot district on November 4, 2023. At least 132 people were killed in an overnight earthquake of 5.6-magnitude that struck a remote pocket of Nepal, officials said on November 4, as security forces rushed to assist with rescue efforts.
The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, caused widespread devastation, collapsing houses and triggering landslides that blocked roads and mountain trails. As communications were cut off in many areas, authorities feared the death toll could rise further.
Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, with helicopters flying in medical workers and supplies to the affected region. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived with a team of doctors to provide support. The affected districts, including Jajarkot and Rukum, were among the areas where Dahal had led an armed communist revolt a few years back, adding a personal resonance to the tragic events.
In Jajarkot, the epicenter of the earthquake, 92 people were confirmed dead, with 55 others sustaining injuries. The neighboring Rukum district reported 36 fatalities and at least 85 injured individuals. The scenes were harrowing, with survivors recounting their near-death experiences, as many were trapped under the debris for an extended period before being rescued.
The impact of the earthquake was not confined to Nepal alone. Shocks were felt as far away as New Delhi, more than 800 kilometers from the epicenter, underscoring the seismic potency of the event. Nepal's history of seismic activity is well-documented, with the country sitting on a central geological fault line. The 2015 earthquake, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale, claimed nearly 9,000 lives and resulted in extensive infrastructure damage.
The 2015 disaster left a profound imprint on the nation, affecting not only the physical landscape but also the socio-economic fabric of the country. Hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed, and critical infrastructure, including schools, was severely impacted. The recent earthquake has revived painful memories, prompting swift government mobilization and a pledge from neighboring India to assist in the rescue operations, according to AP News.
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Security Forces, Volunteers Aid Nepal Earthquake Survivors
Despite challenges posed by the region's remoteness, security forces and local volunteers have worked tirelessly to reach and aid survivors. The district hospitals have been overwhelmed with the influx of injured individuals, highlighting the pressing need for medical assistance and resources.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and destruction caused by the recent earthquake. The government has taken swift action, deploying security forces and initiating rescue operations, even as the true extent of the damage continues to unfold.
As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of yet another natural disaster, there is a renewed call for bolstering infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness in the region. The immediate focus remains on saving lives and supporting those affected. Still, there is a growing recognition of the need for long-term measures to mitigate the impact of such calamities in the future.
Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage, with the government and international organizations working hand in hand to provide much-needed aid and relief to the affected communities. Despite the challenges ahead, the spirit of resilience and solidarity among the Nepalese people and their global supporters remains unwavering, offering hope for recovery and rebuilding, The Telegraph reported.
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