KATHMANDU: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake has struck again in an interval of 164 minutes after the first one (5.8-magnitude) in the western region of Nepal on Wednesday morning.

According to Lok Bijaya Adhikari, the chief of National Seismological Center (NSC), Lainchaur, the 5.3-magnitude tremor occurred at 8:26 am – in an interval of 164 minutes. Earlier, a 5.8-magnitude quake had occurred at 5:42 am, sending people outdoors in panic.

Four people have sustained injuries and as many as 12 houses made from clay and stones have broken down due to the earthquake.

According to DSP Ganga Thapa of District Police Office, Lamjung, four people including Uma Gurung, 36, of Besishahar municipality-6, Khaka Kumari Khadka, 83, of ward-11, Khushimaya Gurung, 29, of ward-8 and Govinda Adhikari, 22, of Marsyangdi rural municipality-6, Thulibesi, were injured.

Three powerful quakes have occurred in an interval of 164 minutes this morning. The first 5.8-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:42 am, the second one (4-magnitude) struck at 8:16 am and the third one (5.3-magnitude) struck at 8:26 am.

All of them were epicentered at Bhulbhule in Marsyangdi rural municipality of Lamjung district, said Lok Bijaya Adhikari, the chief of the National Seismological Center (NSC), Lainchaur.

The tremors have been felt in Lamjung, Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Kaski including the Kathmandu Valley.

Earlier on April 28, an earthquake of local magnitude (ML) 3.5 had struck with its epicenter around Kalanki in Kathmandu.

Similarly, a 4.1-magnitude quake had occurred with its epicenter in Kavrepalanchowk on March 18.

Nepal is prone to earthquake and often witnesses quakes as it lies along the active fault zone between the two tectonic plates – the Tibetan plate and Indian plate.