Nepal earthquake death toll rises to 157: Jajarkot hardest hit

The aftermath of a devastating earthquake that hit Nepal‘s western region has seen the death toll rise to 157, according to Reuters’ latest reports on Saturday, November 4. Rescue teams are fervently searching for survivors in Jajarkot, combing through the debris of shattered homes by hand following the quake that struck on Friday night. The National Seismological Centre of Nepal registered the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.4.

Differing measurements by the German Research Centre for Geosciences and the US Geological Survey recorded the tremor at magnitudes 5.7 and 5.6, respectively. The severity of the destruction, with casualties significantly high, is attributed to substandard construction quality and the timing of the quake, which occurred while residents were asleep.

Efforts to reach the afflicted have been complicated by blocked roads, with landslides hampering the arrival of emergency services. The arduous task of rescue is compounded by the terrain and the urgency to assist those trapped under rubble.

Rescue Efforts Intensify in Nepal as Earthquake Casualties Increase. Photo courtesy of Angelo Giordano from Pixabay.

Fear Grips Jajarkot: Locals Hesitant to Return to Unstable Homes

The earthquake’s impact has left residents in a state of fear, with many avoiding their cracked homes amidst ongoing aftershocks. Jajarkot district official Harish Chandra Sharma told Reuters, “I have myself not been able to go in.” Sharma disclosed concerns over the potential rise in casualties, with hundreds possibly injured and an escalation in the death toll feared as many buildings lay in ruins.

The shaken populace faced the cold night out in the open, wary of returning to structurally compromised buildings. With aftershocks continuing to strike, the trauma of the initial earthquake has been prolonged, leaving thousands in distress and uncertainty.

Prime Minister Dahal at the Forefront of Disaster Management

In response to the calamity, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited Jajarkot, leading a 16-member army medical team to direct search, rescue, and relief operations. An appeal for assistance has been issued by the Prime Minister’s office, calling upon political parties, social workers, and the general public to contribute funds and aid, ensuring that those affected receive food, water, clothing, and shelter.

The epicenter of the quake was identified in the village of Ramidanda, where the National Seismological Centre has reported 175 aftershocks, six of which were of magnitude 4 or higher.

Regional Impact and International Solidarity

The tremors were not confined to Nepal but were also felt in northern India, causing panic and damage as far afield as the neighboring country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and affirmed India’s readiness to provide support, stating, “India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance.”

As the international community rallies to support Nepal during this tragic time, the focus remains on search and rescue operations, providing immediate relief to survivors, and assessing the full scope of the earthquake’s impact.