157 killed in Nepal quake, toll may rise; India offers assistance

The two districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West were the worst-hit. At least 105 people were killed and an equal number injured in Jajarkot; Rukum West reported 52 deaths and 85 injured.

Friday’s quake, which struck at 11:47 pm (Nepal time), was the country’s deadliest since 2015, when about 8,000 people were killed in two earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.3 on the Richter scale.

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A powerful earthquake struck northwestern Nepal late on Friday night, killing at least 140 people and injuring dozens of others. (Photo Credit: Armed Police Force, Nepal)

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According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter Scale. The quake's epicentre was in Nepal at a depth of 10 km. (Nepal Prime Minister's Office via AP)

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The earthquake occurred near the western temple town of Jumla in Nepal, at around 11:32 pm as per the NCS. The epicentre was located at Jajarkot, which is roughly 250 miles northeast of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center. (Photo Credit: Armed Police Force, Nepal)

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The earthquake's epicentre was in Jajarkot district, where 92 people were confirmed dead and 55 others were injured, according to Kuber Kadayat, the Nepal police spokesman to AP. The disaster also claimed the lives of at least 36 people in the neighbouring Rukum district, where numerous houses collapsed. At least 85 injured individuals were taken to a local hospital. (Photo Credit: Armed Police Force, Nepal)

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Damaged houses in Jajarkot a day after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. (PTI photo)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a post on X saying that he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. “India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance,” he said. (Photo Credit: Armed Police Force, Nepal)

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The impact of the quake was felt in Kathmandu and surrounding districts. Jajarkot and Rukum districts in western Nepal were worst hit by the quake. Locals outside their houses after their collapse following the earthquake. (PTI photo)

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Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' during his visit at the earthquake site, in Jajarkot. (PTI photo)

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A woman airlifted from an earthquake-affected area is carried on a stretcher in Nepalgunj. This was the second earthquake measuring more than 6 in Nepal in the last one month. Earlier, October 2, a quake of magnitude 6.2 had hit the country. (AP photo)

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Back in 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed about 9,000 people and damaged about one million structures in Nepal. (AP photo)

Officials said the toll was expected to rise. Rescue work was hampered as roads to the hilly area were blocked by landslides in many places. “It took the search team longer to reach the affected areas as the roads were blocked because of landslides,” said Harischandra Sharma, assistant chief district officer of Jajarkot.

Earthquake of Magnitude:6.4, Occurred on 03-11-2023, 23:32:54 IST, Lat: 28.84 & Long: 82.19, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: Nepal, for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/SSou5Hs0eO@ndmaindia @Indiametdept @Dr_Mishra1966 @Ravi_MoES @KirenRijiju @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/XBXjcT29WX

— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) November 3, 2023

The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and police are coordinating search and rescue operations. “We have been able to save many lives by providing timely first aid and transporting them to local health centres as well as hospitals in Nepalgunj and Kathmandu… We fear the casualty may be higher, we are still in the process of clearing debris and intensifying rescue operations,” said an official at the Nepal Army camp office.

Nepal’s National Seismological Centre said 175 aftershocks were recorded in Jajarkot, including six of magnitude 4 or higher.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) flew to the area early on Saturday to oversee search, rescue and relief work. The cabinet, which held an emergency meeting after his return, decided to provide Rs 5 crore each to Jajarkot and Rukum West.

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

Both Rukum and Jajarkot, remote areas of western Nepal, are Maoist-controlled areas and believed to be the birthplace of the insurgency that Nepal witnessed for a decade from 1996. Before entering mainstream politics, Dahal was a rebel leader.

The thinly-populated area has mostly women and children, with young and middle-aged men having left in search of jobs.

Besides these two districts, the earthquake also caused damage in Dailkeh and Baitadi
districts, where at least six people are reported to be injured.

Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said India and China have offered to help in search and rescue operations. “We have told them that we are carrying out preliminary search, rescue and relief operation now. We will request you for any help if required later,” he said.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s willingness to extend all possible assistance. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery,” he tweeted.

Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery. @cmprachanda

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2023

(With inputs from agencies)