China: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in Tibet at around 1306 CST Feb. 4

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in southern Tibet Autonomous Region, China, at around 1306 CST Feb. 4. The epicenter was about 158 km (98 miles) west-southwest of Rikaze, China, and 103 km (64 miles) north-northeast of Lobujya, Nepal. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles) and probably produced strong shaking near the epicenter. Moderate-to-light shaking likely occurred in a wider area, including central and eastern Nepal; Sikkim, India; and western Bhutan. Weak shaking may have occurred in northern Bihar and West Bengal states in India. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake; however, it could take several hours before authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments in the area. The tremor follows a magnitude-5.2 earthquake in the same area Feb. 2, and additional aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if authorities do not find any damage. Landslides are possible in some areas and could cause ground transport disruptions. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.