Follow us on Twitter6.8 Earthquake Hits Nepal
A powerful 6.8 Richter scale earthquake epicentered in Sikkim, the north-eastern part of India bordering Nepal, sent shock waves Sunday evening throughout Nepal, north-eastern India and Bangladesh. The National Seismological Center in Nepal reported the center to be around the border of Sikkim and Taplejung. It has also triggered two aftershocks; of 6.1 and 5.3 Richter scale already with more expected to follow.
Parliamentarians in Kathmandu were debating national budget, who ran down to the streets after the shocks were felt. They returned after spending 15 minutes outside.
Earthquake Epicenter - Sikkim
About 14 people have been reported dead at this point. 3 of them in Lainchaur section of Kathmandu where a British embassy wall collapsed into a narrow public street which borders British and Indian embassies. The embassies have tall walls which must have been weakened following incessant rains in Kathmandu. Police inspector Dan Bahadur Thapa, chief of Metropolitan Police Range, Sohrakhutte identified the dead as Sajan Shrestha-36, a father and his daughter Anisha-8 and one other Bir Bahadur Majhi. At least 2 people are reported dead in the eastern city of Dharan which lies close to the epicenter. The dead have been identified as Santosh Pariyar and his 6-year old son Kamal Pariyar. And around 9 people are reported dead in Sikkim.