Earthquake damages 16 houses in Bajura

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Dec. 22: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Bajura district at 4:14 am on Saturday, with its epicentre located in Gotri, Jagannath Rural Municipality-5, in the northeastern part of the district, according to the Earthquake Monitoring Centre in Surkhet.

While no human casualties have been reported, the earthquake caused significant structural damage, leaving 16 houses cracked and uninhabitable. Many of these houses had already been weakened by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Swamikartik Rural Municipality last year on 24 January 2024.

Residents fled their homes during the tremor. Local Aniram Damai said, “The earthquake struck in the early morning while we were sleeping. The tremor shook our house, and we immediately rushed outside for safety.” Though no lives were lost, their home is no longer safe to live in, he added.

Upon hearing about the earthquake, local authorities visited the affected areas across all wards of Jagannath Rural Municipality. Ward Chairperson Gauri Sarki reported significant structural damage to houses but confirmed no human casualties.

“We are currently collecting data on the number of houses damaged in Gotri, both partially and fully. Once we have complete information, discussions will be held to determine ways to provide relief to the victims,” he said.

Sub-Inspector Mohan Bhatta from the Juddi Police Post also confirmed partial damage to most houses in Gotri. “Sixteen houses belonging to residents like Aniram Damai, Abi Damai, Dharma Damai, Gaikala Damai and Supra Shahi have been severely cracked,” he said. 

Data collection efforts are underway to document the extent of the damage.

The District Administration Office in Bajura said that the earthquake's effects were felt in various parts of the district, with several old and deteriorated houses sustaining damage. 

Chief District Officer Megh Nath Padhya, who also serves as the coordinator of the District Disaster Management Committee, stressed that efforts are ongoing to gather data on the damages district-wide.

Last year, on 28 April, an earthquake caused extensive damage in rural municipalities such as Gaumul, Himali, Budhinanda, Badimalika, Khaptad and Chhededaha.

According to the District Police Office in Bajura, 104 houses were destroyed, 509 houses sustained partial damage and 463 houses suffered minor damages due to the quake on 24 January 2024.