Nepal: Casualties and damage reported following magnitude-5.6 earthquake in Sudurpashchim Province Jan. 24 /update 1

Event

Authorities have reported at least one fatality and several others have been injured after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck in Sudurpashchim Province in western Nepal Jan. 24. The quake also caused damage to over 20 homes. The tremor triggered several landslides in the region, which killed a number of livestock. Emergency responders have been deployed to the area and response operations are ongoing.

The magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred in Bajura District, Sudurpashchim Province, at around 14:43 Jan. 24. The epicenter was about 63 km (39 miles) northwest of Jumla. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 25 km (16 miles). Light aftershocks are likely 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.