A powerful earthquake shook Nepal in the early hours of Friday, sending tremors across northern India, including Bihar, Siliguri, and surrounding regions. The quake, which struck at approximately 2:36 AM, originated in Nepal’s Bagmati Province, around 189 kilometers north of Muzaffarpur in Bihar. While different monitoring agencies provided varying readings on the magnitude, the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre in Nepal reported it at 6.1, while international agencies like the German Research Center for Geosciences and the US Geological Survey recorded it at 5.6 and 5.5, respectively.
Residents across the affected regions were jolted awake as buildings trembled and ceiling fans swayed. In Nepal, where the tremors were most intense, people rushed out of their homes in fear, seeking safety in open spaces. Sindhupalchok district official Ganesh Nepali recounted the frightening moment, describing how the force of the quake startled many out of their sleep. Fortunately, as of now, there have been no confirmed reports of major damage or casualties. However, authorities continue to assess the full impact.
One reported injury occurred at the district jail in Sindhupalchok, where an inmate broke his hand while trying to flee during the tremors. A police post in Kodari also suffered minor cracks. Meanwhile, in Bhote Koshi rural municipality, a landslide was triggered near Dugunagadi Bhir, but officials confirmed that the affected area had no residential settlements, preventing any loss of life or property damage.
Nepal sits on one of the world’s most active seismic zones, where the Indian tectonic plate pushes into the Eurasian plate at a rate of about five centimeters per year. This movement, responsible for shaping the towering Himalayan mountains, also builds up immense underground stress. When this stress is suddenly released, it results in earthquakes, making the region highly vulnerable to frequent and sometimes devastating tremors. The fragile rock formations, combined with dense urban populations and often unregulated construction, further heighten the risks of destruction and loss of life during such events.
The memory of Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives and left vast areas in ruins, still lingers. Though Friday’s tremor was far less severe, it serves as a sobering reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability. While no major damage has been reported so far, continued vigilance, strict enforcement of building codes, and improved disaster preparedness remain crucial in minimizing future risks. Authorities across Nepal and northern India are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that emergency response teams remain ready to assist if needed.
