Nepal: A powerful earthquake jolted mountainous Nepal today (May 12th), killing 42 people, bringing down buildings and triggering landslide less than three weeks after a devastating temblor left a swathe of destruction in the Himalayan nation.

Hundreds of terrified people rushed out of their homes and buildings toppled as the 7.3-magnitude earthquake, centred 68km west of the town of Namche Bazaar near Mount Everest, sent ripples in India all the way from the border states of Bihar and West Bengal to Gujarat and Delhi.

At least 17 people died in India in the fresh quake.

“I was taking my afternoon nap after lunch and somehow managed to rush out with my baby. My house is safe but I am afraid to go inside,” said Bimala Magar, a resident of Kathmandu’s Dhumbarahi.

More than 1,000 people were injured as the quake flattened buildings in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal already weakened by the 7.9-magnitude April 25 earthquake.

The fresh tremors, which lasted nearly a minute, came just as residents of Kathmandu and other districts were picking up the pieces after last month’s quake that killed about 8,000 people and uprooted millions.

Nepal Police sent out tweets asking residents to clear the roads for movement of rescue workers while police also asked people not to clog the mobile network with calls and use text messages for sending information.

Operations at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport were suspended and Nepal’s parliament, which was in session when the quake struck, was also adjourned.

“Search and rescue teams have been sent to all affected districts. These are difficult times for Nepal, I appeal for all friends to help us and urge our citizens to stay strong,” Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said.

(With agency inputs)

Patna: Sixteen persons were killed and 21 others injured in incidents of wall and roof collapse after two high intensity quakes and five more of moderate intensity rattled Bihar today May 12th, over a fortnight after the April 25 temblor that claimed 58 lives in the state.

Two deaths have been reported from Darbhanga while one each have been confirmed from Patna, Siwan, East Champaran and Samastipur.

There has been report of 21 people being injured in different parts of the state in the wake of the temblor. Darbhanga district magistrate Kumar Ravi confirmed the death of one person at Manigachi in the quake, while additional district magistrate Jay Chand Yadav confirmed death of another at Khagaul village in the district.

According to state Meteorological department, the first temblor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale was felt in Patna and other parts of the state at 12.35 PM. A second quake was experienced at 1.09 PM which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, the Met office said adding five more temblors of moderate intensity were recorded in the state after this.