According to the National Seismological Center, Lainchaur, the earthquake was centered on Dolakha with the epicenter lying between Jhyakusuri and Chilangakhako.
The fresh earthquake that struck the country at 12:54 pm Tuesday followed hundreds of aftershock since the major earthquake of April 25. It brought down several buildings that were already compromised, causing further death and destruction across 32 districts.
According to Nepal Police, a total of five structures were completely destroyed while 12 other buildings saw partial damage. Dolakha district suffered the most human casualties and property damage in Tuesday's quake.
According to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) of the Ministry of Home Affair, at least 64 people have lost their lives and about 1,129 have reportedly been injured. While five people were killed in Kathmandu district, two were killed in Bhaktapur and one person was killed in Lalitpur.
Dolakha reported 36 deaths, Ramechhap reported four, Sindhupalchowk nine and Sindhuli reported two deaths. Sunsari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat and Gorkha have reported one death each. Reports from various districts were still pouring in at NEOC as Republica went to press.
According to the NEOC, there were a total of 355 injured in Kathmandu, 168 in Lalitpur, 182 in Bhaktapur, 100 in Sindhulpalchowk, 24 in Dolakh, 38 in Kavre, 5 in Ramechhap, 2 in Dang, 4 in Terathum, 5 in Siraha, 3 in Saptari and 2 in Sunsari.
A 7.8 Ricther scale quake that struck Nepal on April 25 killed at least 8,151 people and left over 17,866 injured. The massive quake destroyed several thousand houses, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced as of Monday.
The deadly quake also destroyed historical sites, monuments, temples, museums and many religious shrines in this valley of temples.
Nepal Police, Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force and personnel from the Multinational Military Forces have been deployed at various sites in rescue operations. Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG Kamal Singh Bam told Republica. The personnel were mobilized in the affected district within two hours of the quake.
According to NEOC, 38 persons including 16 women and three children were airlifted to Kathmandu from Dolakha for treatment. There were two incidents of fire, in Balaju Bypass and Soaltee Hotel areas. These were immediately extinguished by fire engines from Juddha Fire Brigade and the Nepal Army.
PM APPEALS PEOPLE TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has aked all the people to exercise restraint and stay safe.
In an appeal to the nation after the earthquake jolted the country again on Tuesday afternoon. Prime Minister Koirala asked all the people not to be scared as it was just an aftershock. The prime minister has also asked people to extend cooperation to the security agencies involved in search and rescue operations.
Prime Minister Koirala said that security team along with medical teams have already been mobilized to various affected districts via both air and land routes to carry out search and rescue work. "The government will expedite search, rescue and relief work in the districts affected again, utilizing all mean and resources at its disposal," the prime minister said.
RELIEF DISTRIBUTION AFFECTED: CHIEF SECY PAUDYAL
Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said Tuesday's earthquake has hampered the decision to devote all the resources to relief distribution. "We had stated putting all our resources into relief distribution for earthquake victims. But as Tuesday's earthquake has caused further devastation, we will now need to put our efforts into search and rescue first," Chief Secretary Paudyal told Republica. "The team mobilized for search and rescue will now be directed toward search and rescue efforts."
Chief Secretary Paudyal informed that they have mobilized five helicopters in Dolakha, four in Sindhupalchowk and two others in Ramechhap to airlift injured victims to Kathmandu and elsewhere for treatment. They have also mobilized search and rescue teams from the security agencies. The helicopters took some medical teams for the treatment of the injured in the quake-affected districts.
Although a few foreign search and rescue teams were asked to return home, Chief Secretary Paudyal expressed confidence that Nepali security personnel are capable of handling the situation. "We must not forget that it was Nepali security personnel who did most of the search and rescue work after the earlier earthquake. They will do the job again this time," he said.
Chief Secretary said foreign search and rescue teams can be invited again if deemed necessary. "But the preliminary reports suggest that Nepali security personnel are capable of handling the situation," he further said.
SECURITY PERSONNEL MISSING
Government officials said security personnel deployed in various parts of the country are missing, following Tuesday's earthquake.
According to Chief Secretary Paudyal, a few Armed Police Force (APF) personnel deployed near Lamosanghu are missing in the wake of the quake. "Police personnel stationed in various parts of Dolakha are also yet to come into contact. Likewise, not all search and rescue team members of the Nepal Army have come into contact yet," he said.
Preliminary reports suggest that a large number of police personnel could have been either killed or injured in Tuesday's earthquake.
According to Nepal Police, at least 17 police personnel were injured in the course of carrying out search and rescue work.
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LANDSLIDES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF COUNTRY
Landslides triggered by earthquake have obstructed roads in various parts of the country. Government officials said the landslides have seriously disrupted road connections to earthquake hit Syangja district.
Other districts that were badly hit by the previous earthquake such Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa have also seen vital road links damaged due to earth-quake-induced landslides on Tuesday. "Disrupted roads will hamper our relief efforts. We have already taken necessary initiatives to clear the debris from the roads and carryout repairs to ensure smooth vehicular movement in the affected districts," Chief Secretary said.
