A mild earthquake jolted eastern Nepal on Sunday, sending tremors across the border into the Indian state of Bihar. The seismic event caused brief moments of alarm but resulted in no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Details of the Seismic Event
The earthquake occurred at 11:37 pm on Sunday, April 20, 2025. According to data from India's National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor registered a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was located in Nepal, approximately 52 km east of Pithoragarh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The quake originated at a shallow depth of 10 km beneath the Earth's surface, which can often make tremors more perceptible to people in the region.
Tremors Felt in Indian Territory
While the epicenter was in Nepal, the impact was felt in neighboring Indian areas. Residents in several parts of Bihar reported feeling the ground shake. The tremor was described as a sudden, brief jolt that lasted for a few seconds. Local authorities and disaster management teams were alerted following the event, but initial assessments indicated no structural damage or injuries.
The region where the earthquake struck is seismically active, falling within the complex tectonic framework of the Himalayas. Earthquakes of mild to moderate intensity are relatively common in this zone due to the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Official Response and Preparedness
The National Center for Seismology, which operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences in India, promptly reported the earthquake's parameters. Their monitoring systems are crucial for providing real-time data on seismic events in the region. No tsunami alert was issued, as the magnitude was well below the threshold required to generate destructive ocean waves.
This event serves as a reminder of the persistent seismic risk in the Himalayan belt. Experts consistently advise both authorities and citizens in vulnerable areas to:
- Maintain awareness of earthquake safety protocols.
- Ensure buildings comply with earthquake-resistant construction codes.
- Have emergency preparedness plans in place for families and communities.
The swift dissemination of accurate information by agencies like the NCS helps prevent panic and allows for an organized response, even to minor events like this one. As of now, life has returned to normal in the affected areas, with the mild quake leaving no significant aftermath.
