Bajura at High Risk of Strong Earthquake, as Region Experiences 3.6 Magnitude Quake and Multiple Aftershocks

Dhangadhi: A 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Badimalika area in Bajura on Monday at 4 pm, as reported by the Earthquake Measuring Center in Surkhet. Following the spate of frequent earthquakes since January 10th, the affected residents in Bajura remain fearful, and the earthquake management remains to be implemented. The Sudurpaschim province has recorded 10 earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 4 on the Richter scale in the last seven months. Technical Assistant of the Earthquake Measurement Center in Surkhet, Rajesh Sharma, disclosed that since the earthquake centered around the Ashram of Khaptadbaba on October 22, 26 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 on the Richter scale have been reported in the country, with 14 centered in the Far West and Karnali provinces.

Sharma emphasized that the Far West region is at higher risk of earthquakes due to the current higher frequency of seismic activity in the area. The Bajura area has experienced six of the 15 earthquakes that have hit the western part of the country. One of the notable earthquakes was the Doti earthquake, which occurred on October 22, and resulted in human casualties, leaving houses and public buildings uninhabitable. Some of the affected individuals reside in Tripal, while others have been forced to live in collapsed houses.

According to the Earthquake Measurement Center, out of the 15 earthquakes that hit the western part of Nepal, 11 were in the Far Western Province, and four were in the Karnali Province. Over 1,000 tremors of four Richter scales have been reported, with six fatalities recorded in Kartik due to a powerful earthquake with a local magnitude of 6.6 that occurred in the Doti district. The earthquake, as reported by USGS, originated 27.3 kilometers below the surface of the earth.

The National Earthquake Measurement and Research Center's head, Monica Jha, reported that aftershocks were measured after the Doti earthquake, while the Bajura earthquake is considered to be a separate earthquake, rather than an aftershock. Geologists have warned that the West Nepal region is at high risk of a strong earthquake since no major earthquakes have occurred in the area for over 500 years, leaving a considerable amount of energy stored underground.