Earthquake Hits Tibet-Nepal Border:
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet near the Nepal border on Tuesday morning, causing widespread devastation. The tremors were felt in various parts of India, including Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Assam, and West Bengal, leaving many in panic. As the quake hit, buildings crumbled in the affected region, and at least 53 lives were lost.
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences reported that the earthquake hit Xizang in Tibet at 6:35 am, with the epicenter located at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. This was followed by a series of smaller earthquakes, with the first occurring at 5:41 am with a magnitude of 4.2, and the most powerful one—a 7.1 magnitude quake—striking at 6:35 am. After this, two more quakes measuring 4.7 and 4.9 in magnitude were recorded. Subsequent tremors in the area were of lower intensity, causing minimal damage.
EQ of M: 7.1, On: 07/01/2025 06:35:18 IST, Lat: 28.86 N, Long: 87.51 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Xizang.
For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/aHk6kS9Zcm— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) January 7, 2025
The region of Dingri County in Xizang, located near Mount Everest, has reported multiple building collapses. This mountainous area, home to around 62,000 residents, is also grappling with sub-zero temperatures, worsening the plight of those affected by the disaster. The cold weather adds a layer of complexity to the relief efforts as survivors struggle to stay warm and safe in the aftermath.
#WATCH | Earthquake tremors felt in Bihar’s Sheohar as an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter Scale hit 93 km North East of Lobuche, Nepal at 06:35:16 IST today pic.twitter.com/D3LLphpHkU
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025
In addition to the devastation in Tibet, the earthquake was also felt in parts of India, particularly Bihar’s Sheohar district. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that the earthquake, which struck 93 km northeast of Lobuche, Nepal, at 6:35 am IST, sent tremors across various parts of Bihar. Tremors lasting approximately 30 seconds were reported in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, Munger, Araria, Sitamarhi, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Nawada, and Nalanda. While no significant damage or injuries were reported in India, the earthquake rattled the region and caused momentary disruptions.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, residents were shaken by the powerful tremors. Meera Adhikari, a resident of the city, shared her experience, recalling how she initially thought the shaking of her bed was caused by her child. However, when the windows started rattling, she realized it was an earthquake and rushed to safety with her child. The quake left many in the capital city on edge, and the tremors were also strongly felt in areas around Lobuche in the high mountains near Everest.
VIDEO | A strong earthquake jolted Kathmandu early morning on Tuesday. The earthquake measuring 7 magnitude on Richter scale was recorded by the National Earthquake Measurement Centre at 6.50 am. Tremors were also felt in Bihar’s Madhubani.#Earthquake #Nepal
(Full video… pic.twitter.com/bRHdPgdmTf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 7, 2025
Jagat Prasad Bhusal, a government official in Nepal’s Namche region, described the shaking as intense, leaving everyone awake. While the Home Ministry spokesperson Rishi Ram Tiwari reported no damage or casualties from the earthquake, security forces were quickly deployed to ensure safety across the region.
Nepal is no stranger to earthquakes, given its location at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The ongoing collision and subduction of these plates make the region prone to seismic activity. The devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2015 still looms in memory, claiming nearly 9,000 lives, injuring over 22,000 people, and leaving more than half a million homes destroyed.
While the earthquake rattled parts of India and Nepal, the situation remains tense as authorities and rescue teams scramble to assess the damage and provide aid. In recent years, the region has experienced several powerful earthquakes, including a 7.0-magnitude earthquake along the China-Kyrgyzstan border in January of last year. This quake, like many others in the region, highlights the ongoing vulnerability of areas located near major tectonic boundaries.
The December 2023 earthquake in Gansu province in northwest China, which claimed 148 lives and displaced thousands, serves as a stark reminder of the deadly power of these seismic events. With freezing temperatures exacerbating relief efforts, survivors were left to gather around outdoor fires as they awaited aid.
As the region continues to cope with the aftermath of the latest quake, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of those affected, and on providing the much-needed relief to the survivors of this tragic event.