The Tuesday morning earthquake startled many from their sleep, sending residents into the streets despite the cold. People rushed to safety, some carrying children and others assisting the elderly. The tremors caused panic in schools and colleges, disrupting morning classes and examinations, including a Tribhuvan University undergraduate exam, where an additional 15 minutes had to be granted.
The earthquake, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, was centered in Dinggy, Tibet, at 6:50 AM and was felt in Nepal’s Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces. It triggered memories of the devastating 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which claimed over 8,000 lives and caused extensive destruction.
In Nagargun-10, Kathmandu, a resident jumped from his rooftop out of fear and sustained injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. In Bara district, 11 students fainted due to panic, police reported.
Lingering Psychological Trauma
Senior psychiatrist Dr. Basudev Karki from Patan Mental Hospital highlighted the psychological toll of past quakes, stating that many still carry trauma from the 2015 Gorkha earthquake and last year’s Jajarkot tremors. “Such experiences have weakened people’s mental resilience, making them overreact even to minor quakes,” he explained.
Dr. Karki warned that disasters like earthquakes could lead to mental health issues, particularly for those who experienced severe events. He emphasized the importance of managing disaster-induced stress and fostering positive thinking to reduce fear and anxiety.
Avoiding Panic and False Information
Senior seismologist Dr. Lok Bijay Adhikari from the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center urged the public not to spread or believe false information about future earthquakes. “Earthquake predictions are not scientifically possible,” he stated, advising people to rely only on official sources.
Dr. Adhikari stressed the importance of disaster preparedness and raising awareness about safety measures, including how to remain calm during an earthquake to minimize casualties.
Preparedness is Key
Officials from the Department of Mines and Geology emphasized that earthquakes are a natural geological process driven by tectonic plate movements. They reiterated that while small tremors release some accumulated energy, major earthquakes remain unpredictable.
National Risk Reduction and Management Authority spokesperson Dr. Dijan Bhattarai urged citizens to remain vigilant as aftershocks are likely to continue. Disaster preparedness and the development of early warning systems should be prioritized, said Bhattarai.
The Science Behind Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur when stress builds up along tectonic plates, causing energy release and ground shaking. Nepal lies in a highly seismic zone along the Himalayan belt, making it particularly vulnerable. Historical records show significant earthquakes in the region, including the 1934 Nepal-India quake and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.
Experts continue to stress the need for awareness, resilience, and preventive measures to mitigate the risks posed by earthquakes and to safeguard both lives and property.