KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Many were jolted awake by Tuesday morning's earthquake, causing them to flee into chilly streets while parents carried their children and others assisted elderly family members as they gathered in streets and alleys. Students attending morning classes in colleges ran out in panic.
The earthquake disrupted Tribhuvan University’s first-year undergraduate examinations, requiring an additional 15 minutes to be added to Tuesday's scheduled exam. The earthquake, measuring 7 on the Richter scale, was centered in Dinggy Village, Shigatse, Tibet, at 6:50 AM. It was felt in various districts of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces in Nepal.
Tuesday's tremor reminded many of the devastating Gorkha earthquake nine years ago, which had claimed over 8,000 lives and caused billions of rupees in damage across Kathmandu Valley and several districts.
In a state of panic, Rikesh Thapa from Nagarjun-10, Kathmandu, jumped from his house’s roof and was injured. He is currently receiving treatment at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, according to Nepal Police.
Additionally, 11 students from grades 7 and 8 at Trichandra Secondary School in Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City, Ward No. 1, fainted during the earthquake.
Addressing Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
Patan Mental Hospital’s senior psychiatrist, Dr. Basudev Karki, said that major past earthquakes have left lasting psychological effects, diminishing people’s confidence. Minor tremors alone can induce intense fear and panic. “Many still carry the trauma of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, as well as last year’s Jajarkot earthquake. These major events have weakened psychological resilience,” he said. “The 2015 earthquake caused severe mental health issues in many, and disasters like these often trigger mental disorders. It’s essential to focus on managing stress caused by such calamities.”
Dr Karki emphasized that earthquakes do not just cause physical destruction but also leave profound psychological impacts, especially among those who have experienced them firsthand. “Earthquakes can increase fear and anxiety, making individuals constantly worry about future tremors,” he said. He added that the impact varies among individuals, depending on their biological and environmental factors. “Disasters don’t affect everyone the same way; some may suffer significant psychological consequences, while others may remain unaffected. Promoting positive thinking and raising awareness about disaster management is crucial,” he suggested.
Avoid spreading unnecessary fear
Dr Lok Bijay Adhikari, a senior seismologist at the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center under the Department of Mines and Geology, urged the public not to spread misleading and fear-inducing messages about earthquakes. “Panic and accidents can occur when people react by running or jumping. Staying calm is essential,” he said. “Social media rumors about an impending massive earthquake only increase public anxiety. Such claims are baseless since earthquakes cannot be predicted. Only rely on official information,” he advised.
Preparedness and awareness are key
Dr. Adhikari highlighted the need to educate people on earthquake preparedness, calmness, and damage mitigation. He called for preparedness measures, especially developing early warning systems.
Kamalaram Joshi, Director General of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, emphasized the necessity for more research on earthquake forecasting, a currently under-researched area. He also raised concerns about possible glacial lake outburst floods in China after the earthquake. We will provide early warnings to protect the public if such risks emerge. “Trust only official information,” he advised.
Dr Dijan Bhattarai, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, informed that aftershocks from the earthquake are continuing and advised people to stay prepared for potential future tremors. He emphasized the need for calm and effective disaster management.
Why do earthquakes occur?
Earthquakes are caused by movements within the Earth's crust. Stress builds up beneath the Earth's surface, and when it exceeds the crust's strength, energy is released, causing the ground to shake. This phenomenon occurs due to the interactions of tectonic plates that make up the Earth's outer shell (lithosphere).
According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, earthquakes are geological processes that cannot currently be prevented or predicted. Daily minor quakes release insufficient energy, leading to occasional large and destructive ones.
The Himalayan region has experienced several major earthquakes in the past, including those in Assam (1897), Kangra (1905), Nepal-India border (1934), and Assam (1950). Nepal, occupying 800 km of the active Himalayan range, lies in a high-risk seismic zone due to tectonic collisions and periodic energy release.
