Devastating Earthquakes Strike Tibet, Tremors Felt Across North India
A series of powerful earthquakes rocked Tibet on Tuesday morning, claiming over 53 lives and injuring 62 others. The strongest earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, struck Xizang near the Nepal-Tibet border at 6:35 am, causing widespread destruction. Six earthquakes, including two aftershocks of 4.7 and 4.9 magnitude, shook the region within an hour, as reported by China’s Xinhua News Agency.
In Dingri County, near the epicentre, several buildings collapsed, leaving residents scrambling for safety. The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV confirmed significant structural damage and strong tremors in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.
The impact of the earthquakes extended beyond Tibet. Tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR, Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states of India, as well as in Nepal and Bhutan. In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, residents evacuated their homes after experiencing severe shaking.
“This was the strongest earthquake in recent years,” said a resident of Kathmandu. “The shaking of the bed and windows alarmed us, and we rushed to safety.”
The earthquakes occurred in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, known for uplifting the Himalayan mountains. The National Centre for Seismology confirmed the event, highlighting the area’s vulnerability to significant seismic activity.
Rescue efforts are underway in affected regions, with authorities assessing damage and providing aid to survivors. The international community extends solidarity to the affected regions during this challenging time.
