A powerful earthquake of magnitude of 7.1 struck the Tibet-Nepal border, close to Mount Everest, at around 6.35 AM local time on January 7, 2025, sending tremors through parts of northern India, causing widespread concern.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tibet, roughly 93 kilometers northeast of Lobuche, Nepal, and was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers, amplifying the intensity of the tremors felt across the region.
In Tibet, the buildings in Shigatse experienced significant shaking, leading to collapses in villages like Tonglai. Casualties in Tibet are currently being assessed.
Reports from Kathmandu indicate that residents were jolted awake, with many fleeing their homes for safety as buildings shook.
Preliminary assessments suggest significant structural damage in Nepal, particularly in areas near the epicenter. There are reports of house collapses in Nepal’s Doti district, with at least six fatalities due to the initial quake. Emergency response teams, including the Nepalese army, have begun search and rescue operations in the affected regions.
The National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center in Nepal and international seismic monitoring agencies are closely observing aftershocks, which could pose further risks.
This earthquake comes from Nepal’s high seismic activity due to its location in one of the world’s most active tectonic zones. The country is still recovering from the devastating 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which claimed 9,000 lives. The current quake adds to the challenges of rebuilding and ensuring seismic safety in this vulnerable region.
International aid organizations and neighboring countries have expressed readiness to assist, with offers of support from India, which has a history of aiding Nepal during natural disasters. The Indian government has activated its emergency response protocols to monitor and assist if needed.
North India feels the tremors
While no immediate damage or casualties have been reported in India, the strong tremors led to panic among residents.
The seismic activity was notably felt in Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, where people evacuated buildings as a precaution.
Safety advisories were promptly issued, urging people to stay out of elevators and to assemble in open areas. Schools and offices in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas were temporarily evacuated.
