Khaptad area experiences 503 tremors in five days

By Shailendra Rokaya

Bajhang, Nov. 14: The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre (NEMRC) has said that 503 small to big earthquakes have occurred in the last five days, making Khaptad National Park area the epicentre since November 8. 

Experts have suggested to stay alert as the region and its surrounding areas have been witnessing frequent tremors since November 8. 

Bharat Koirala, seismologist of the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Kathmandu, said that the Khaptad area being in the centre of four districts has been experiencing some noticeable and dozen others of unnoticeable earthquakes for the last one week. 

He said that no big earthquake has jolted West Nepal for the last 517 years, and suggested to be careful because a big tremor might occur at any time. Koirala said that there was a possibility of an earthquake measuring more than 8 Richter scale due to the energy accumulated in the cracks of two piles under the surface of the earth passing along the Himalayan region of Sudurpaschim Province. 

He also said that it is impossible to tell when and where a big earthquake may occur, while building physical infrastructure to make it earthquake-resistant, and to focus on preparing for possible dangers after the earthquake in the future and the problems it will cause. 

Koirala said that the Centre has estimated that the strength of the earthquake of more than 8 Richter scale has been accumulated in that area. 

He also said that if 1,000 earthquakes of 5 Richter scale occur before the same earthquake, it is considered as seven Richter scale, so it cannot be said that earthquakes will not occur now. 

In Bajhang alone, more than a 1,000 houses were damaged, details are being collected. According to the locals, most of the houses were cracked and unfit for habitation due to the earthquake that hit Khaptadchanna Rural Municipality-6 Patadewal near Khaptad National Park on Saturday night.