Fresh Quakes Rattle Nepal as Nation Commemorates Gorkha Earthquake Anniversary

As Nepal marks the 10th memorial of the devastating 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, two moderate earthquakes were recorded in different parts of the country, underscoring the region’s continued seismic vulnerability.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre (NEMRC) under the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG), a 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck Phulpingkot in Sindhupalchok District at 11:53 AM today (2082/01/12). A day earlier, on 2082/01/11, a 4.2 magnitude tremor was recorded in Ranmamaikot, Rukum East District at 7:34 PM.

The timing of these earthquakes is significant as the nation reflects on the tragic 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, which claimed 9,079 lives, injured over 22,000, and caused extensive damage to private homes and cultural heritage sites. The 7.6 magnitude quake, with its epicenter in Barpak, Gorkha, affected 14 districts most severely, including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and Sindhupalchok.

Today, various commemorative events are being held across Nepal to honor the memory of those lost and to raise awareness about earthquake preparedness. A central program is taking place at Dharahara in Sundhara, Kathmandu, where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the gathering.

Officials emphasized that while earthquakes are natural disasters, their impacts can be significantly reduced through public awareness, strong building codes, and resilient infrastructure.