Earthquake of Magnitude 7.1 Jolts Nepal and Tibet

An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in Dinggye County of Tibet, China, shook Nepal's eastern regions, including Kathmandu, early this morning at 6:50 AM, causing panic among residents.

The tremor was strongly felt in the eastern hilly districts of Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, and even in parts of the Tarai region. Many people rushed out of their homes in fear, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley.

According to Lok Bijay Adhikari, Senior Divisional Seismologist at the Department of Minerals and Geology, the earthquake caused alarm but no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties have surfaced.

In Solukhumbu, which borders Tibet, local reports indicate no damage in Salleri, the district headquarters, despite the prolonged tremor. However, Chief District Officer Anoj Kumar Ghimire stated that teams, including security agencies, have been mobilized to assess the situation, especially in the Khumbu region, which may have experienced damages.

Local representatives from Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, including Ward No. 4 Chairman Laxman Adhikari, mentioned potential impacts in the Lobuche area, but due to unreliable communication, on-site inspections are required and expected to take hours.

Similarly, authorities in Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar, and Taplejung districts reported no significant damage but have initiated inspections to evaluate the post-quake scenario.

Further updates will follow as detailed information becomes available.