Kathmandu, 16 September (H.S.): Two earthquakes struck Nepal’s Mugu district in the early hours of Wednesday, with the tremors occurring approximately two-and-a-half hours apart.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck at 1:51 a.m., with its epicentre in the Kalai area of Mugu district. A second earthquake, measuring 4.2, was recorded at around 4:28 a.m. in the same vicinity.

Dr Lokvijaya Adhikari, a senior seismologist at the centre, said the two earthquakes occurred approximately two-and-a-half hours apart. He said earthquakes of magnitudes 4.5 and 4.2 generally have a low likelihood of causing major damage, but cautioned residents to remain alert.

According to Adhikari, aftershocks commonly occur following a major earthquake. Even in an area affected by a magnitude-4 earthquake, several smaller tremors measuring 3, 2 or even 1 in magnitude may follow. He added that around 20 to 22 aftershocks have been recorded so far following the earthquake that struck Mustang district last week.

It may be recalled that a magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Mustang at 9:53 p.m. on September 8. The tremors were also felt in Kathmandu.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar