BAITADI: An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the Khalanga area of Baitadi district headquarters at 1:48 AM on Friday night, followed by one aftershock of magnitude 3.7 and ten smaller tremors, according to the Earthquake Measurement Center in Surkhet.

The initial tremor was felt not only in Baitadi but also in other districts of the Sudurpaschim Province. No human or material damage has been reported.

According to Chintan Timilsina, chief of the Earthquake Measurement Center in Surkhet, the magnitude 3.7 aftershock occurred 20 minutes after the initial 5.1 quake, followed by ten minor aftershocks.

He emphasized that since the earthquake risk remains high in western Nepal, it is necessary to construct earthquake-resistant infrastructure.

Following the earthquake, a field inspection of physical infrastructure around Baitadi’s district headquarters was conducted, said Chief District Officer (CDO) Dirgharaj Upadhyay. He confirmed that no human or physical damage occurred due to the earthquake on Friday night.

CDO Upadhyay added that various studies have shown western Nepal to be at high risk of earthquakes, underscoring the need to raise public awareness and to construct earthquake-resistant physical structures.