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 At least 53 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese state media, with tremors felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of northern India, CNN reported.

The United States Geological Society (USGS) said the 7.1-magnitude quake struck at 9:05 a.m. local time and was followed by multiple aftershocks.

Both the USGS and the China Earthquake Networks Center gave the epicenter location high up in the remote Tibetan plateau close to the Himalayan border with Nepal.

Another 62 people were injured in the quake, while more than 1,000 houses were damaged in Tingri county, where the epicenter is located, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Chinese social media videos geolocated by CNN showed damaged roofs, shop fronts and debris piling on the streets of Lhatse county, some 86 kilometers (53 miles) from the epicenter. Some cars and motorcycles parked along the road were also damaged, the footage showed, according to CNN.

The region close to the epicenter is sparsely populated but small villages are nestled in the remote and often hard to access Himalayan valleys. About 6,900 people are estimated to live in 27 villages within a 20-km (12-miles) radius of the epicenter, according to Xinhua.

Surveillance camera footage at a supermarket in Shigatse shared by Xinhua captured the moment the quake struck, with customers running outside as goods fell from quivering shelves.

Rescue teams including the Chinese air force have joined in search efforts, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Three villages had lost their phone signals by noon, according to the broadcaster, CNN reported.

A total of 49 aftershocks were recorded as of noon Monday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

In a statement following the quake, Chinese leader Xi Jinping called on officials to make all-out efforts to search and rescue survivors, minimize casualties, properly accommodate affected residents, and ensure their safety and warmth in the winter cold.

An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck Mugu on Friday.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, the quake was recorded at 8: 03 am.

Tremors were also felt in neighbouring districts, as well as the Kathmandu Valley. There are no reports of damage or casualties so far.

Earlier on Thursday, an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was recorded in Sindhupalchowk district.

An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck Taplejung district at 10:46 pm on Tuesday.

The epicenter of the quake was at Tapethok of the district, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Lainchaur.

Earlier on June 28, an earthquake had occurred with its epicenter at Helambu, Sindhupalchowk.

An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 has been felt in Dolakha district on Tuesday.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center Lainchaur, the quake occurred at 4:58 am today with its epicenter around Hatdanda in Dolakha district.

Prior to this, an earthquake of magnitude 4.4 had been recorded in Parkatne of Bajhang district on February 16.

About 68,000 children and their families who survived Nepal’s deadliest quake in eight years need further humanitarian aid to rebuild their lives, UNICEF said on Sunday, 100 days after the tremors that devastated parts of west Nepal.

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck two districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West in the remote western region of Nepal on Nov 3, killing at least 154 people, more than half of them children.

The tremors, the deadliest in Nepal since two quakes killed about 9,000 people in 2015, flattened more than 26,000 houses and partially damaged 35,000 buildings, rendering them unfit to live, according to official estimates.

UNICEF said about 200,000 people, including 68,000 children, many of whom spent a cold winter in temporary shelters, still need humanitarian assistance to recover from the disaster.

The UN agency said it is appealing for $14.7m funding to support these children.

“Thousands of children affected by the destructive earthquake are still dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones. Their development is at risk as they lost their belongings, homes and schools, among others,” Alice Akunga, UNICEF representative to Nepal, said in a statement.

“Even as temperatures rise, the needs are still high as children require nutritious food, clean water, education and shelter. One of the best ways to rebuild children’s lives and restore a sense of normalcy is to get them back to school and learning, so that they can play with their friends, learn and heal,” Akunga said.

An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale was recorded in Sindhupalchwok at 10:17 am today.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, the tremor with its epicenter in Sindhupalchwok was felt in Sindhupalchwok and adjoining areas.

More than 100 people have been killed after an earthquake hit northwestern China while many people were asleep, Aljazeera reported.

The earthquake, measured at 6.2 according to state news agency Xinhua, struck at about midnight in Gansu Province near the border with Qinghai, causing significant damage, state media reported on Tuesday.

The tremor was felt as far away as Xi’an in northern Shaanxi province, about 570 kilometres (350 miles) from the epicentre.

Gansu provincial authorities told a press conference that as of 7.50am (23:50 GMT on Monday), 105 people had been confirmed dead, and 397 injured. More than 4,700 houses had been damaged, they added. Power and water supplies were disrupted in some villages, Xinhua said.

According to CCTV, at least 11 people were also killed in the city of Haidong in Qinghai. Haidong is situated close to the epicentre about 100km (60 miles) southwest of Gansu Province’s capital, Lanzhou.

People living close to the epicentre rushed out onto the street as they felt the earthquake. Some buildings collapsed.

“I live on the 16th floor and felt the tremors so strongly,” a man named Qin was quoted as saying in the state-run Global Times. “The moment of the earthquake was feeling like being tossed up after surging waves… I woke my family up and we rushed down all 16 floors in one breath.

Qin added that it was minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 Fahrenheit), and that while some of his neighbours had put on down jackets or wrapped themselves in blankets others were bare-chested, according to Aljazeera.

Rescue work was under way with Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for “all-out efforts” in the search and relief work. Nearly 1,500 firefighters were deployed with another 1,500 on stand-by, according to state media. More than 300 officers and soldiers were also mobilised for disaster relief.

Supplies including drinking water, blankets, stoves and instant noodles were also being sent to the affected area.

Footage on state television showed emergency vehicles driving along snow-lined highways, and rescue workers pictured shoulder-to-shoulder in the trucks.

The US Geological Survey reported the quake was a magnitude 5.9, while the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said it was a magnitude 6.1.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 10km (6 miles) at 11:59 pm local time on Monday (15:59 GMT), according to the USGS, which initially reported the magnitude at 6.0. Multiple aftershocks were reported.

Gansu has a population of about 26 million people and includes part of the Gobi Desert.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in China.

In September 2022, a 6.6-magnitude quake hit Sichuan Province leaving almost 100 dead.

A 7.9-magnitude quake in Sichuan in 2008 left more than 87,000 people dead or missing, including 5,335 children who were in school at the time it happened.

At least 242,000 people were killed in 1976 after an earthquake struck Tangshan in the worst natural disaster in Chinese history.

The family of Birkha Bahadur Karki from Bheri Municipality-2, Jajarkot, is trying to piece their lives back together after their world crumbled in the earthquake on the night of Nov 3. It has been over a month since the disaster, and yet the Karki family is living under a makeshift shelter made from tarpaulin sheets. The government promised assistance hasn’t found its way to them.
 

Karki says he has done everything the local government has asked him to get the funds so that he can build a shelter for his family, but to no avail. “I have already filled up the beneficiary form and opened a bank account. I don’t know what is causing the delay,” he says. “It’s cold, and the nights are long. I don’t know how long we are going to live in this state.”

Kiran Bhandari’s family faces a similar struggle. Their house now lies in ruins. The tarpaulin tent they call home hardly shields them from the biting cold. “We filled out the forms, hoping for some relief, but it seems like the funds we are supposed to get have been caught in the bureaucratic maze,” he says. His family, like many others, hasn't seen a rupee of the promised assistance. 

“We just want a place where our children can feel safe. We will be alright if only the government provided us with a proper shelter to live in. We don’t need monetary assistance.”

The fate of Karki and Bhadari are shared by tens of thousands of quake displaced people in Jajarkot and the neighboring district of Rukum West. As winter tightens its grip, the tarpaulin shacks that were supposed to be temporary are becoming more unbearable. 

The government claims to have simplified the process of providing assistance, but the earthquake victims argue that the bureaucratic hurdles, such as the requirement to open a bank account and fill up several forms, have caused delays. 

Even though the government has announced to distribute cash handouts to those families who do not have bank accounts, the local governments have been insisting that every earthquake-affected families open bank accounts.
 

The process of opening bank accounts has been cumbersome, especially for those who do not have citizenship documents or have migrated from other districts.

Hari Bahadur Basnet of Bheri Municipality-3 highlights the difficulties faced by those who have moved from outside the district.

“Banks are demanding police issued documents stating that our houses and properties were destroyed by the earthquake, but we haven’t got any such documents. Many of us don’t even have citizenship,” says Basnet.

The procedural framework has been criticized as unjust by earthquake victims, hindering many from receiving the promised assistance. A month after the earthquake, details about damage and temporary shelters are still unavailable, attributing negligence and lack of coordination to the government.

The requirement for the quake displaced families to fill out a self-declaration form stating that they do not own homes elsewhere, and tasks such as opening a bank account have kept  many beneficiaries from receiving the government promised assistance. Many local governments have withdrawn the funds, but the distribution process has been held up in the name of completing the paperworks and bank account requirements.

The delay has left quake victims vulnerable to the harsh conditions, with health issues affecting vulnerable groups. Dr. Pratiksha Bharati, chief of District Health Service Office, Jajarkot, reveals the pressing health concerns.

"Nearly a thousand people are in need of medical attention. Health issues such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, fever, cold, and diarrhea are common among the earthquake victims," says Bharati.

She says senior citizens, children, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women have been affected the most. 

The government has pledged to provide Rs 50,000 each to the quake displaced families in two installments. That was nearly three weeks ago, and yet many families in Jajarkot have not even received the first installment of the promised sum. 

The local government of Shivapuri Rural Municipality has received more than Rs 82m from the central government, but the local earthquake victims are yet to receive the money. Chhedagad and Barekot municipalities have also not been able to provide assistance to the beneficiaries. 

Another municipality, Nalgad, has not even requested for funds so far, as the authorities have not yet identified the total number of earthquake victims. Like Nalgad, there are several other municipalities in Jajarkot that are still assessing the damage and recording the number of earthquake victims.

Bir Bahadur Giri, chairman of Barekot Rural Municipality, says the delay in collecting beneficiary details has hindered the distribution of funds. 

“The delay has been caused due to incomplete submission of self-declaration forms,” he says.

Despite the government's plan to provide temporary housing to all earthquake-affected families by the Nepali month of Mangsir, the successful implementation of the program is yet to be seen. 

Chief District Officer Suresh Sunar says his office has been repeatedly urging the local municipal offices to expedite the fund distribution process, but to no avail.

“They say delay in form submission, lack of documentation and dispute among locals have hindered the fund distribution process,” says Sunar.

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake jolted Kathmandu Valley and adjoining districts on Thursday.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with epicenter in Chitlang of Makwanpur district was recorded at 1: 19 am.

On Nov 3, Nepal was struck by a devastating 6.4-magnitude earthquake, centered in Jajarkot within the remote Karnali province. This natural disaster left the nation in urgent need of assistance to rescue victims and provide essential relief materials and shelter. The government swiftly undertook rescue efforts at the epicenter and other severely affected areas by deploying the Nepal Army and other security forces. However, a significant gap emerged in providing essential aid to those most affected, leaving many stranded without proper shelter.

The earthquake claimed the lives of at least 157 people, with nearly 400 individuals sustaining injuries across Nepal and parts of India. The dire situation worsened due to the government’s involvement in petty politics when it came to distributing relief materials. Instead of focusing on impartial aid distribution, the ruling parties showed favoritism by prioritizing their own supporters and cadres. This division in aid allocation further exacerbated the suffering of those already grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Nepal’s immediate neighbors, India and China, stepped up to provide crucial support to the affected areas. Additionally, ambassadors from various nations expressed deep condolences for the lives lost in the earthquake and offered readiness to extend support to Nepal during this challenging time. Collaborative efforts of the neighboring countries and the international community played a pivotal role in assisting Nepal’s relief and recovery endeavors after the disaster struck.

Swift response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to extend assistance to Nepal in the wake of the earthquake. Expressing deep sorrow for the loss of lives and damage caused, Modi tweeted his condolences and pledged India’s unwavering support. “India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is prepared to provide all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

India promptly fulfilled Prime Minister Modi’s commitment by delivering the initial phase of relief materials to Nepal on Nov 5. From the Nepalgunj Airport, two truck-loads of essential supplies, accompanied with a security team, were dispatched to Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, handed over the relief to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka. The aid package comprised 625 units of plastic tarpaulin and tents, 1,000 sleeping bags, 1,000 blankets, 70 large-size tents, 35 packets of tent accessories, medicines and 48 other assorted articles, among other essentials.

On Nov 6, India continued its support by delivering a second consignment of relief materials for the disaster-affected families. The Deputy Chief of Mission, Prasanna Shrivastava, presented the second consignment to Nepal as part of the ongoing aid efforts. 

In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, India had been the first country to swiftly provide vital support to Nepal. Maintaining this commitment, India remained steadfast in extending comprehensive assistance to Nepal in the wake of the Jajarkot earthquake. Prime Minister Modi reiterated Indian support to Nepal, emphasizing the significance of assisting neighboring countries during times of crisis and how India continues to stand by its neighbors in times of need. 

China, the northern neighbor, also supported Nepal. On Nov 9, two Chinese cargo planes arrived at the airport carrying 600 cotton tents and 4,600 blankets. 

China’s Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, handed over the relief package to Nepal’s Home Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who acknowledged China’s consistent support for Nepal’s economic development and emphasized their assistance during critical times, such as the 2015 earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Chen highlighted the significance of the relief materials, portraying a strong connection between China and Nepal, characterized by shared mountains and rivers, and a bond of mutual assistance. These supplies symbolize China’s commitment to fostering a community with a shared future for all mankind, he said. This crucial support entered Nepal via the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border point, facilitated by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. Additionally, the China International Development Cooperation Agency announced a supplementary batch of emergency humanitarian assistance for Nepal. Furthermore, the Red Cross Society of China offered emergency cash assistance to aid Nepal’s rescue and relief endeavors in the earthquake-affected areas.

During an official visit to Nepal, Communist Party of China’s Tibet secretary Wang Junzheng announced further support for Nepal while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Puspha Kamal Dahal. Also, CPC’s International Department (CPCID) extended support to Nepal through party channels. Leaders from Nepal’s major four parties facilitated the distribution of the materials received thus to the affected regions.

Genuine friendship

India and China, as emerging powers and our neighbors, have demonstrated their unwavering support for Nepal in times of crisis. The immediate assistance provided after the earthquake showcased their genuine friendship and solidarity with Nepal in times of need. The border disputes and conflicts between India and China are bilateral issues that Nepal regards as internal matters of the neighbors. How they navigate and develop their relations with the US is their prerogative, and Nepal can only urge both nations to peacefully resolve their disputes through diplomatic channels.

Nepal perceives India and China not as challenges but as opportunities. Their swift aid during this crisis underscores the importance of regional cooperation and mutual assistance in times of adversities. It's crucial for Nepali leaders to recognize that while Nepal benefits from neighborly support, it’s equally important to ensure respect for genuine interests of the neighbors. 

Shared borders and cultural ties mean disputes can crop up because of close proximity. Prime Minister Modi’s ‘neighborhood first’ policy has consistently supported Nepal, just as President Xi Jinping’s ‘peripheral diplomacy’ has guided China’s support to Nepal within this framework.

Nepal must uphold its national interests and sovereignty while engaging with its neighbors. It’s essential not to display bias in dealings with them. Nepal should adopt a pragmatic approach and openly discuss issues. If there are discrepancies or missteps from either neighbor, Nepal should seek rectification in a transparent manner. Nepal’s stance, whether in protest or support toward India and China, should be guided by specific issues and remain issue-centric.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued an emergency appeal for augmenting the relief and response initiatives for the victims of the recent earthquake in Jajarkot.

The IFRC has issued an appeal for emergency assistance of 5 million Swiss Francs for the Jajarkot disaster survivors. IFRC had issued an emergency appeal for assistance to the 2015 April Gorkha earthquake and provided humanitarian support.

The international humanitarian organization has been carrying out works like providing shelter and non-food materials – cash distribution, emergency shelter, tarpaulin, mattresses, blankets, medical treatment, psycho-social counseling, sanitary materials and livelihood and essentials - in an integrated way.

The IFRC Office in Kathmandu has stated that it will provide financial assistance to the hard-hit families for construction of temporary shelters, buying essentials and building toilets.

On November 3, an earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude hit Jajarkot and Rukum West with its epicenter at Ramidanda of Jajarkot. More than 150 people lost their lives and around 200 people were injured in the quake. At least 30,000 houses, both public and private, were destroyed while more than 38,000 families have been affected.

"Following the quake, the IFRC and its partners and the related parties including the Nepal Red Cross have been providing immediate humanitarian services. The search, rescue and relief distribution is promptly taking place through skilled volunteers of the Red Cross. Immediate assistance such as first aid, psychosocial support, blood transfusion and ambulance service and non-food items are being provided," according to the statement.

IFRC provided Rs 100 million in immediate assistance to those affected by the Jajarkot quake.

The headquarters of IFRC in Geneva, Switzerland provided the amount to the Nepal Red Cross through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

King Chares of the UK has expressed sadness over the earthquake devastation in Nepal.

The British Embassy in Nepal informed that King Charles sent a message to President Ram Chandra Paudel and expressed grief over the loss of lives and property in the Jajarkot earthquake.

"My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life, and the damage and devastation caused by the earthquake in western Nepal on November 3," the King said.

The King further stated in the message, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Nepal at this difficult time, and we wanted to extend deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families and affected communities."

King Charles also assured the British government's readiness to support and respond to Nepal's need at this difficult moment.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Jajarkot and Rukum West last Friday has left behind a trail of death and devastation. Around 160 people have died (more than half of the dead are children), hundreds have suffered injuries, lakhs have become shelterless and lost the means of livelihood. 

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the United Nations said in its report that around 1.3m people have been exposed to the quake, and about 0.25m may need humanitarian assistance within 72 hours of the disaster.  

After announcing the completion of search and rescue operations, the government is ‘focusing’ on the distribution of relief materials. 

But media reports from the ground are not that encouraging. This daily and a number of other media outlets have pointed out that the government has largely failed to provide for the needy in times of a crisis. 

With their possessions under the rubble, the survivors are in need of food, shelter, warm clothing and medicine. But even the tarps have become a luxury for most of the people, forcing them to live in the open without food and warm clothing in freezing temperatures. 

A report published in this daily, for example, quotes relevant officials as saying that one has to be a house-owner to get a tarp from the government. Another ApEx report states that the representatives of organizations involved in relief distribution are not bothering to visit the backwaters for relief distribution. 

What does it all mean? That the lives of those living on rent or on temporary shelters like sheds do not count? That the people hailing from remote corners are expendable? 

In the aftermath of the disaster, a series of chopper-borne high-profile visits to the affected areas have taken place like on previous such occasions, with promises of all possible help to the survivors. 

Promises aside, relief materials like food, drinking water, shelter and basic medicine are really hard to come by for most of the survivors, leave alone specialized care for the traumatized ones, including children. 

The quake and several jolts aside, the survivors have also been grappling with a cumbersome governance system that has largely failed to provide for the people in dire need. Leave alone the disasters from a distant past, government authorities do not seem to have learnt lessons even from the 2015 Gorkha earthquake that killed around 10000 people, rendered lakhs homeless and destroyed infrastructure worth billions of rupees even as a dilapidated Singhadurbar looked on. 

The government should get its acts together and rush relief to the needy, in close coordination with political parties across the aisle, defense-security agencies, donor agencies, civil society and the public to save lives.     

Recommendations have been made to pay attention to the potential psycho-social problems among the earthquake survivors in the quake-hit areas.

A psychiatric doctor underlined the need of stepping up psycho-social counseling, especially to the women and children who are in a state of fear due to the earthquake.

Citizens have been mentally and psychologically traumatized in earthquake-hit areas, Psychiatric Doctor of Karnali Province Hospital Purna Rawal suggested the government run a complete package of psycho-social programs in the quake-hit areas.

"Aftershocks are frequent in the area. Citizens are in precarious condition. Psycho-social problems can be seen among the people in such situations. All three tiers of governments should pay attention to psycho-social counseling along with relief and rehabilitation", he added.

Meanwhile, the Karnali Province government said that it has deputed a team of psychosocial counselors to the field for counseling services.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on Wednesday handed over a cheque of Rs 10 million to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as per its commitment to provide monetary assistance to the earthquake survivors in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

A delegation led by Director General of CAAN Pradeep Kumar had reached the official residence of Prime Minister in Baluwatar this morning to hand over the cheque.

The amount will be deposited in the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, according to CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.

An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Jajarkot at 11:47 pm on Friday killing at least 157 people.

At least 16, 570 houses have been completely destroyed due to the earthquake in the six local levels in Rukum West.

Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee and Chief District Officer, Hari Prasad Panta, said that this number might increase as data collection is still underway in the district.

Based on the data presented by the municipality mayors and the rural municipality chairpersons in the Committee meeting, the highest number of houses have been damaged in Aathbiskot Municipality of the district.

It is stated that 7,148 houses have suffered complete damage in Aathbiskot Municipality, followed by 3,146 houses in Sanibheri Rural Municipality.  Seven hundred and twenty-two houses in Sanibheri have been partially damaged by the Friday night tremor.

Similarly, 1, 987 houses have been completely damaged and 4,374 houses partly damaged in Chaurajahari Municipality while 2,300 houses have been completely destroyed and 3,500 partially damaged in Musikot Municipality.

Likewise, 1935 houses have been completely damaged and 1,258 houses partially damaged in Triveni Rural Municipality while 18 houses have suffered complete damage and 107 houses partial damage in Banfikot Rural Municipality, it has been said.