Nepal: Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs in Gandaki Province at around 05:42 May 19

Event

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in Gandaki Province in central Nepal at around 05:42 May 19. The epicenter was about 36 km (22 miles) east of Pokhara. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt across central Nepal. Weak shaking may have occurred in northeastern Uttar Pradesh and northwestern Bihar states in India, and parts of southwestern Tibet, China. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. 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 no damage is found. 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.