KATHMANDU: A seismic jolt of 6.1 magnitude rattled the Kathmandu Valley and its neighboring districts on Sunday morning.
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre reported that the earthquake had its epicenter in Dhading district and occurred at 7:39 am local time.
The tremors were also felt in other districts within the Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Nepal, a country situated on the seismic juncture where the Tibetan and Indian tectonic plates meet. These plates gradually converge, advancing two meters closer to each other every century, leading to the accumulation of pressure that is periodically released in the form of earthquakes. A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks claimed the lives of approximately 9,000 people in Nepal in 2015.
As noted in the government’s post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report, Nepal is ranked as the 11th most earthquake-prone country globally. This highlights the perpetual need for vigilance and preparedness in a region where seismic activity is a persistent threat.
