BAJHANG: A distressing turn of events unfolded in Bajhang as an earthquake-triggered landslide has left one woman missing and 13 individuals injured on Tuesday.

Gunamati Dhami, a 40-year-old resident of Jayaprithvi Municipality-11 Okhli, has been reported missing. She ventured into the forest on Tuesday afternoon to pick red peppers but did not return home. In response, a dedicated rescue team, along with local residents, initiated a search operation. DSP Bharat Shah from the District Police Office Bajhang expressed concerns that she may have been affected by a landslide.

Law enforcement authorities have been deployed to intensify the search efforts.

The seismic activity struck Bajhang at 2:40 PM on Tuesday, with an initial earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale. Subsequently, another powerful tremor of magnitude 6.3 hit the Chainpur region of Bajhang at 3:06 PM.

As of now, 13 people have sustained injuries due to the earthquakes.

Furthermore, numerous homes in the district headquarters and various local areas have suffered significant damage. Notably, concrete structures in the district headquarters have developed cracks, while village houses and schools have been ravaged.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, locals are forced to live under the open sky. Even those whose homes remained unscathed are choosing to stay outdoors due to earthquake-induced fears.