5.1 Magnitude Earthquake again hits Nepal

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake on Saturday struck Nepal at 11.30 a.m. with its epicentre at Barpark in Gorkha district, seismologist Mukunda Bhattarai from the National Seismology Centre (NSC) said. This is the third quake with its epicenter in Gorkha after the deadly tremor on April 25.

A series of tremors and aftershocks have struck the Himalayan nation in the last one week and has made it difficult for the people to return to their houses. According to the data provided by the home ministry, the temblor has so far claimed over 6,500 lives. Nepal’s National Seismological Centre said two minor tremors were recorded early on Saturday with the epicentres in Sindhupalchok and Dolakha districts.

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in Sindhupalchowk district, occurred at 3.55 a.m., while the second one measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale jolted Dolakha district at 5.55 a.m., The Himalayan Times quoted the centre as saying.

With this, the total number of earthquakes measuring more than four magnitude on the Richter scale after the April 25 earthquake reached 121 and their frequency has come down, centre chief Lok Bijay Adhikari said.

According to Adhikari, people should not panic as the chances of damage from the quakes that measure less than six in magnitude are slim. (IANS)