BAJHANG: A temporary earthquake monitoring station has been set up in Chainpur, the headquarters of Bajhang district, with the frequent occurrence of earthquake in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces in recent times.

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Lainchaur said the temporary earthquake measurement centre was constructed in Bajhang after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre at Chainpur struck Bajhang on November 3.

Seismologist at the Centre Dr Mukunda Bhattarai said that with the construction of the temporary earthquake measurement centre at Chainpur, now there are 43 earthquake measurement stations throughout the country.

The first seismological station of the country was set up at Phulchoki Hill, Lalitpur 43 years back in 2037 BS.

Seismological monitoring stations were constructed at 20 at-risk places of the country with assistance of various countries after the April 25, 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

After 2015, the Government of Nepal set up earthquake monitoring centres at 10 places with assistance from China, at eight places with the assistance of Japan and at two places with support from Thailand.

Seismological monitoring stations have been constructed in Jhapa, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Rasuwa, Lamjung, Mustang, Dolpa, Bajura, Darchula, Sindhuli, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Syangja, Myagdi, Kapilbastu, Rolpa, Mahottari and Dang districts at present.

Only 22 earthquake monitoring centres were in operation in Nepal before the Gorkha earthquake.

Senior seismologist at the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Dr Lok Bijaya Adhikari said it would now be easier to monitor even the small intensity earthquakes with the construction of the monitoring stations throughout the country.

The Centre at Lainchaur and the National Earthquake Monitoring Centre at Surkhet have been providing information regarding the earthquake from across the country at present.