A significant earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale, rattled Nepal in the early hours of today, February 28th. The seismic event, occurring at 2:51 AM, sent tremors rippling through the Kathmandu Valley and beyond, reaching as far as Patna and Muzaffarpur in the neighboring Indian state of Bihar.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located along the Kodari Highway in the Sindhupalchowk district, approximately 65 kilometers east of Kathmandu, as confirmed by the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre. Residents across the affected regions reported feeling the strong tremors, prompting widespread concern.
Although initial reports indicated no immediate casualties or significant structural damage, the event served as a stark reminder of Nepal’s heightened vulnerability to seismic activity. The nation sits within one of the most active tectonic zones, categorized as Seismic Zones IV and V, making it exceptionally prone to earthquakes.
This recent seismic event follows a minor earthquake that struck Morigaon, Assam, India, on February 27th around 2:30 AM, highlighting the region’s ongoing geological activity. The memory of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015, which claimed over 9,000 lives and destroyed more than a million structures, remains a poignant reminder of the potential for catastrophic impact.