Damage assessment begins in Nepal after Tuesday’s earthquake

January 4, Kathmandu: Government agencies in the districts affected by Tuesday morning’s earthquake have begun collecting information about the earthquake’s impact.

The quake, which measured 7.1 magnitude had its epicentre in Dinggye County, Tibet, China. It also affected eastern districts of Nepal, as well as the federal capital, Kathmandu, early on Tuesday morning. Chief District Officer in Solukhumbu, Anoj Kumar Ghimire, stated that the exact details regarding the damages caused by the tremor are still being gathered. Teams, including security agencies, have been mobilized to collect this information.

Ghimire added that they would coordinate with local representatives to assess the damage from the earthquake. The Khumbu region, which borders Dinggye County in Tibet, may have experienced some damage due to the tremor.

Laxman Adhikari, Chairman of Ward No. 4 in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, noted that the Lobuche area might have sustained damages. “Our team has been dispatched to the Lobuche area. Since telephone communication is unreliable, onsite inspections are essential. It will take several hours to reach Lobuche,” Adhikari explained.

Similarly, local authorities in Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar, and Taplejung districts have reported no significant damage from the earthquake so far; however, they have initiated inspections to assess the post-quake situation.

However, according to the latest data, as many as 53 people have died in China’s Tibet due to the earthquake.