Back-to-Back Sudurpaschim Quakes: Structures Damaged, Injuries Reported, Jai Prithvi Highway Blocked

Sudurpaschim was struck by two powerful earthquakes today, within half an hour of each other. The tremors, measuring 6.3 and 5.3 on the Richter scale, rocked the district’s ‘Talkot’ and ‘Chainpur’ areas, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The quakes, which hit in the afternoon, caused extensive damage to old physical structures in Bajhang. Numerous old schools, houses, ward offices, and government buildings were severely impacted. Locals reported widespread destruction in areas including Durga Thali Rural Municipality, Talkot Rural Municipality, Jaya Prithvi Municipality, and Khaptadchanna Rural Municipality.

Reports indicate that the earthquakes triggered landslides, blocking roads at various points along the Jai Prithvi Highway. While there has been partial damage, authorities have not yet received specific information about human casualties.

In a distressing incident, a student named Santosh Saud was injured in Achham when he jumped from the building of Bindewasini Secondary School in Bannigadi Jayagad Rural Municipality-6 Darna during the quake.

The first earthquake, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale, struck at 2:40 PM with its epicenter at Talkot in Bajhang. Only half an hour later, a more powerful quake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Chainpur in Bajhang at 3:06 PM, according to the Earthquake Measurement Center Surkhet. The shocks were felt across all districts in Far West.

Authorities and local police are diligently working to assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.