A powerful earthquake of magnitude 5.6 struck the northwest region of Nepal on Saturday, causing panic among the residents and damaging several buildings. The quake occurred at 10:15 a.m. local time, with the epicenter located about 150 km northwest of Kathmandu, near the border with Tibet.
According to the National Seismological Center, the quake was felt in several districts of Nepal, including Kathmandu, Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dolakha. No casualties have been reported so far, but some people sustained minor injuries while trying to escape from their houses. The quake also triggered landslides in some areas, blocking roads and hampering relief efforts.
The earthquake was a reminder of the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake that hit Nepal in 2015, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring more than 22,000. That quake also destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings, leaving millions homeless.
Nepal is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, as it lies in the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Himalayan mountain range was formed by the uplift of the land due to this collision.
The government of Nepal has urged the public to remain calm and follow safety precautions in case of aftershocks. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the government is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed the local authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected people. The government has also appealed to the international community for support in the recovery and reconstruction efforts.