Powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck Nepal at 11:47 PM on Friday, November 3, 2023. The news reports indicate that at least 72 people have lost their lives, and more than 100 people are injured. Relief and rescue efforts are underway according to the Nepalese government. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is set to visit the affected areas on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
As per government-run ‘Nepal Television,’ the western districts of Jajarkot and Rukum in Nepal have been most affected by the earthquake. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that in these two districts, 128 people have lost their lives, and 140 others have been injured. It is yet to be determined how many houses have been damaged due to the earthquake.
Prime Minister Prachanda Initiates Relief and Rescue Efforts Officials from Nepal Police revealed that Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda, along with a medical team, departed for the incident site on Saturday morning. They mentioned that the Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are engaged in rescue and relief efforts. All three security agencies of the country are involved in relief operations.
The Prime Minister’s Office posted on social media platform X, “Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and property in the recent earthquake that struck on Friday night. He has immediately deployed all three security agencies for rescue and relief.”
Injured Being Treated at Surkhet District Hospital Officials mentioned that medical treatment is ongoing for the injured at Surkhet District Hospital. The Prime Minister has given instructions to security agencies to expedite rescue and relief work.
From Earthquake to Landslides, and From Landslides to Devastation The Prime Minister’s Office mentioned that due to road blockages and damage to bridges, relief and rescue operations have been hindered at the incident site. After the earthquake, there were at least four aftershocks with a minimum magnitude of four. Earthquakes are frequent in Nepal because it is located on the convergence point of the Tibetan and the Indian tectonic plates, which move approximately two meters closer each century, generating pressure and causing earthquakes.