Strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Nepal, no immediate reports of damage
Credit: voiceofsikkim
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck north of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, early Friday, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre.
The tremor originated near Bhairab Kunda in Sindhupalchok District, an area that has previously experienced seismic activity.
The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.6, placing the earthquake’s depth at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
While the quake caused strong shaking, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Ganesh Nepali, a senior official in Sindhupalchok, described the experience: “It shook us from our sleep strongly. We rushed out of our homes. People have now returned, and we have not received any reports of damage or injuries so far.”
Nepal, situated along the seismically active Himalayan belt, is prone to frequent earthquakes. In 2015, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people and caused massive destruction across the country.
Authorities remain on alert for potential aftershocks or structural impacts from Friday’s tremor.
