KATHMANDU: A major earthquake struck Tibet, China, early on Tuesday morning, with tremors also felt in various parts of Nepal.
According to international media outlets, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the border area of Shigatse in Tibet and the eastern mountains of Nepal at 6:50 am.
The tremors were felt across the eastern and mid-hills of the country, including the Kathmandu Valley and the Madhes.
Following the powerful tremors, many people rushed out of their homes and gathered in open spaces early in the morning.
Details about the extent of the damage are still coming in. The main concern now is the potential impact of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Nepal’s mountainous regions.
Climate experts are particularly worried about the risks posed by the earthquake.
Many of Nepal’s glacial lakes in the mountainous regions and the Tibetan Plateau are considered high-risk areas, and there is growing concern that these lakes could burst as a result of the earthquake.
While earthquake tremors are not uncommon in Nepal, especially after the devastating earthquake of 2015 (2072 in the Nepali calendar), the earthquake on Tuesday morning felt different.
The general public reported that the shaking lasted longer than usual.
Seismologist Khadga Sen Oli shared insights on this topic during a conversation with Khabarhub.
An earthquake was felt across various parts of Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday early morning. Based on your expertise, how would you characterize this earthquake, and why did it cause such a significant shock in Nepal?
This is a major earthquake. While we are still receiving initial reports, the fact that the epicenter is in the Himalayan region raises concerns, particularly regarding the potential eruption of glaciers.
Given our proximity to the border area with China, this is a matter of particular interest and concern.
What is most important is that since the 2015 earthquake, we have experienced many aftershocks, so we must stay vigilant and be prepared for the possibility of another earthquake.
Our focus should be on minimizing potential damage. This should serve as a wake-up call.
Earthquake Safety Day has been observed since 2055 BS, in memory of the 1990 BS earthquake, and we are now preparing for the 27th Earthquake Safety Day.
The major earthquake occurred just as we were gearing up for the event on the Nepali month of Magh 2.
The slogan this time focuses on learning from past earthquakes. If we can build strong structures now, we can stay safe. The current slogan emphasizes the importance of robust preparedness.
These earthquakes have underscored the need and justification for enhanced preparedness efforts.
According to the International Seismological Monitoring website, a series of large earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 4 to 7, are occurring around the Nepal-Tibet border. On Tuesday, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck in the area near Mount Everest. High-altitude glaciers are also at risk. We are living in one of the world’s most seismically vulnerable regions. We tend to be fearful after an earthquake, only to forget the lessons over time. What has changed since the 2015 earthquake?
In particular, the 2,500 km stretch of the Himalayan region, from eastern Burma to western Afghanistan, is highly prone to earthquakes.
Nepal is also within this risk zone. While it’s difficult to predict the exact timing and location of such events, the damage they could cause in the Himalayan region would be immense.
The region’s geography heightens the risk of glaciers bursting, which could lead to additional hazards.
Since the 2015 earthquake, there have been some improvements in safety. About 800,000 homes built since then adhere to seismic safety standards.
Municipalities are leading the way in implementing building codes, and the process of approving construction maps has been tightened.
Progress is being made, and if we can ensure that new buildings are safe, we can significantly reduce risks and potential damage to both people and infrastructure.
Currently, buildings constructed according to the code are considered safe.
However, there is still a lack of adequate technical equipment for rescue operations.
While training has been added, it remains insufficient. We must now move beyond just experiencing earthquakes and begin preparing more effectively.
Following today’s earthquake, the western hills of Nepal have also been experiencing continuous tremors. In particular, districts in Sudurpaschim and Karnali are feeling persistent seismic activity. Is there ongoing research on the tremors originating from the Tibetan plate and the tremors we are experiencing?
Geologists and experts from the Department of Geography may have studied this, but from what I understand, the current tremors indicate that a large earthquake is building up in our western region.
Since this is a natural process, it’s impossible to predict exactly where or how the energy will release.
However, the possibility of a major earthquake in the west remains. The dynamic process within the Earth extends from Burma to Afghanistan, and the stored energy means that we cannot predict with certainty where and how it will be released.
Large, medium, and small earthquakes could occur throughout Nepal. We must be prepared for this. How much scientific research has been done on this? Public awareness of ongoing research is critical.
These earthquakes are interconnected—they link our east, west, and Tibet.
Moreover, it’s not only the same tectonic plate that causes these tremors; another fault line is also involved. Nepal has 92 fault lines.
As local earthquakes increase due to activity along these fault lines, it becomes crucial to study the extent and direction of their impact. This must also be assessed based on existing research.
How well are we coordinating information exchange between countries in the high Himalayan regions of Burma, Tibet, Nepal, and India?
Some joint research has been carried out, particularly in terms of geography and seismic activity.
We have experience with regional-level search and rescue efforts. For instance, during the 2015 earthquake, search and rescue teams from India and Pakistan worked together using a unified system.
We have also been involved in building capacity for search and rescue workers, particularly through the Advanced Sources School.
One of the core ideas is that when countries collaborate during regional emergencies, the effectiveness of their response improves.
Regional-level studies have been conducted to understand what is happening underground in our region.
Discussions have also taken place about preparing and carrying out rescue operations in neighboring countries.
However, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has proven inactive in these efforts. This has created some challenges in regional cooperation.
While a management center within SAARC was initially promoted with a broad vision, it has yet to be activated.
It is essential to reactivate its mechanisms and ensure that regional cooperation proceeds from a unified perspective.
Global efforts have been made in this direction, and while some mechanisms for information exchange have been established during disasters, there remains a significant gap in addressing seismic risk.
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