Frequent earthquakes have been giving sleepless nights to those living in the eastern region, especially in Taplejung and Paanchthar districts.

The people in the two districts have grown all the more frightful after two earthquakes were recorded within the span of 7 minutes on Monday (February 13).

According to Umesh Prasad Gautam, technical officer at the National Earthquake Measurement Center, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 7.26 pm on Monday. Seven minutes later, another quake of same magnitude hit Paanchthar and Taplejung borderline.

Tremors have been felt recurrently across the region with seismic activities notably high in uppper Taplejung and Kanchanjungha hill areas.

Though the latest earthquakes did not cause physical damages, they have certainly added to the fear among people.

“Fearing earthquake, people remain awake whole night these days,” said Arjun Adhikari of Tellok.

According to the locals in Taplejung district, tremors have been felt in Khewang, Surukhimp, Mehele, Kalikhola, Tellok and Mamangkhe areas. Similarly, more than six VDCs in Panchthar district have felt the ground shake on a regular basis.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake had hit the country on September 18 last year with its epicenter along the Nepal-India border near Taplejung.

“It is natural for people to fear. They should indeed remain alert,” Gautam said.

Source: Republica