At least 6 people killed after M6.6 earthquake hits Nepal

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center (NEMRC) as M6.6 hit the Doti district in the Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal at 20:27 UTC on November 8, 2022 (02:12 LT, November 9). The National Center for Seismology in India is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The USGS and EMSC are reporting M5.6 at a depth of 15.7 km (9.7 miles) / 10 km (6.2 miles).

The epicenter was located 21.8 km (13.5 miles) E of Dipayal (population 23 416), 56.3 km (35 miles) E of Dadeldhurā (population 19 014), 73.4 km (45.6 miles) NW of Dailekh (population 20 908), 83.7 km (52 miles) SE of Dārchulā (population 18 317), and 85.6 km (53.2 miles) N of Ṭikāpur (population 44 758), Nepal.

According to the USGS, 2 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 147 000 strong, 772 000 moderate, and 19 378 000 light.

The agency issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities. Some casualties are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

A Green alert was issued for economic losses. There is a low likelihood of damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

At least 6 people were killed and another 5 were injured, according to the Doti District Police Office.

The deceased were buried beneath the debris of houses that collapsed in Gairaguan, Purbichauki-3.

Close to 10 houses near the epicenter had collapsed and cracks have surfaced in most of the houses in the area, The Himalayan Times reported.

NEMRC said M5.7 earthquake hit the same region at 21:07 LT on November 8 (~5 hours before the M6.6).

Many aftershocks were registered following the two quakes.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google