Key Points:
- A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal’s Bagmati province at 2:35 AM, with tremors felt in Bihar’s Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur.
- The quake caused panic in Patna, with residents sharing videos of shaking buildings and ceiling fans; tremors reportedly lasted for 35 seconds.
- A separate 4.5-magnitude earthquake was reported in Pakistan at 5:14 AM, following the tremors in Nepal and Bihar.
- No casualties or significant damage have been reported in India or Pakistan, but Nepal saw minor structural damage and one injury.
Kathmandu: In the early hours of Friday, February 28, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake originating in Nepal’s Bagmati province sent tremors across the region, including parts of Bihar such as Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur. The quake struck at approximately 2:35 AM IST, causing widespread panic among residents who rushed out of their homes.
The epicenter was located in Sindhupalchok district, around 189 km north of Muzaffarpur. While no casualties or significant damage were reported in India, the tremors were strong enough to shake buildings and ceiling fans in Patna. Social media was flooded with videos capturing the moment, with one user claiming the shaking lasted for about 35 seconds.
Impact in Nepal: Minor Damage Reported
Nepal bore the brunt of the earthquake, which registered as a 6.1-magnitude event according to some international agencies. The tremor caused minor structural damage in Sindhupalchok district, including a police station and several houses. A landslide was also triggered in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality. One person sustained injuries after jumping from a building during the quake.
Ganesh Nepali, Assistant Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchok, stated that while the tremor caused significant panic among residents who fled their homes for open spaces, no major losses have been reported so far.
Tremors Felt Across South Asia
The seismic activity extended beyond Nepal and India:
- Pakistan: At 5:14 AM IST, a 4.5-magnitude earthquake shook parts of Pakistan. Fortunately, no casualties or damage were reported.
- Assam: Earlier on Thursday morning (February 27), Assam’s Morigaon district experienced a 5.0-magnitude earthquake at 2:25 AM. No damages were recorded there either.
These back-to-back seismic events highlight the vulnerability of South Asia’s Himalayan region to tectonic activity.
A Region Prone to Earthquakes
South Asia lies along active tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes. Nepal’s Bagmati province is part of Seismic Zones IV and V areas classified as high-risk zones for earthquakes. The region has seen frequent seismic activity over the years:
- In January 2025, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s Himalayan region, claiming over 125 lives.
- In 2015, Nepal suffered a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and displaced thousands more.
Experts warn that such events could become more frequent due to ongoing tectonic shifts.
Preparedness and Safety Measures
While Friday’s earthquakes caused minimal damage, they serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness:
- For Individuals:
- Follow “Drop, Cover, Hold On” during tremors to protect yourself from falling debris.
- Avoid running outside during quakes; instead, stay under sturdy furniture or near interior walls away from windows.
- For Governments:
- Strengthen building codes to ensure structures are earthquake-resistant.
- Conduct regular disaster preparedness drills and awareness campaigns.
- Equip National Disaster Response Forces (NDRF) with advanced tools for rescue operations.
India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS) continues to monitor seismic activity closely and disseminates real-time updates through its mobile app “India Quake.”
A Wake-Up Call for South Asia
Friday’s earthquakes highlight the need for increased vigilance and preparedness across South Asia’s seismically active regions. While no major casualties were reported this time, past disasters like Nepal’s 2015 earthquake underscore the devastating potential of such events.
As residents return to their daily lives after a night of panic, governments must prioritize long-term strategies to mitigate risks and ensure public safety in this volatile region.
