Earthquake Damages Two Houses in Solukhumbu, Cracks Reported at Sagarmatha Park

A 7-magnitude earthquake, which struck this morning, caused significant damage to two houses in Solukhumbu.

In Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality, a two-storey stone-and-mud-walled house belonging to 50-year-old Harka Bahadur Khattri in Deusa Luruwa (Thulung Dudhkoshi-7) was damaged. The house, which had a slate roof, suffered structural harm due to the tremor.

Similarly, in the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the two-storey stone-and-mud-walled house of Aangima Sherpa in Helajung (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu-5) was also affected. The house, with a tin roof, sustained damage in the earthquake.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Dwarika Prasad Ghimire confirmed that police teams have been sent to both locations to assess the extent of the damage. Chief District Officer Anoj Kumar Ghimire stated that all emergency apparatus, including police, have been placed on standby for potential rescue and relief efforts.

The tremor also caused cracks in the office building of the Thame Post of Sagarmatha National Park, located in Thametyang, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5. The one-storey stone structure sustained damage, but no injuries were reported, according to Park Chief Conservation Officer Sushma Rana.

In a separate incident, a two-storey mud-and-stone house belonging to Tenchhebi Sherpa in Kimathanka, Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-1, Sankhuwasabha, collapsed due to the earthquake. The house had a tin roof. Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka confirmed the incident.

The earthquake, with its epicenter in Dinggye County of Xizang Autonomous Region, China, struck at 6:50 am and was felt across eastern Nepal, including the capital Kathmandu. Authorities are continuing damage assessments and coordinating relief efforts.