November 9: At least six people have reportedly died and five others sustained injuries as houses collapsed due to a powerful earthquake that hit several districts of Sudur Paschim province in the wee hours today.    
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center stated that the epicentre of the 6.6 magnitude tremor was located in the Khaptad National Park area in Doti district, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. The earthquake occurred at 2.12 am today (November 9).    
It is said dozens of houses in the rural areas have been flattened due to the quake. Six people were killed when some houses collapsed at ward number 3 of Gairagaun in Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality in the district, RSS quoted Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhola Bhatta, as saying.

According to DSP Bhatta, who is also the Information Officer at the District Police Office, Doti, the deceased have been identified as Bhagawati Bohara, Sita Bohara, Harka Bohara, Prem Bohara, Tulasi Bohara and Dhanasari Bohara of Thadagaun, Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality-3.    
Chairperson of the rural municipality, Ram Prasad Upadhyay, confirmed that six people including three from the same family died in the disaster. He said five others sustained injuries and they are receiving treatment in hospital.    
According to RSS, rescue squads of Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and Nepalese Army have reached the incident site for rescue operation. Rescue works are underway at present and the locals have joined the rescue, the news report added.    
Min Raj Ojha, a local teacher, told RSS that most of the houses in the area have been damaged.

“Landslides have occurred at many places of Sayal Rural Municipality due to the tremor,” RSS quoted Dal Bahadur Deuba as saying.    
Before this, an earthquake of 5.7 magnitude with its epicentre at Dipayal had occurred at 9.7 pm on Tuesday, the center stated. Aftershocks had also occurred frequently following the big tremor.

According to media reports, the quake was felt as far as New Delhi, the capital of India.

In Bajhang, people rushed out of their homes after the earthquake and spent the night outside, RSS further reported. Laxmi Devi Joshi of Khaptad Chhanna-5 said panicked locals lit bonfire and spent the rest of the night in vigil outside in the open. She told RSS that old homes have collapsed in the village.