Earthquake in Nepal kills 132; rescue operations underway

At least 132 people were killed and more than 100 were left injured after a strong earthquake struck Nepal late on Friday.Nepal's National Seismological Centre said the quake was a magnitude 6.4 but the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) later downgraded the magnitude to 5.7 and the U.S. Geological Survey pegged it as a magnitude 5.6.Jolts were also felt in parts of India including in the cities of New Delhi and Patna.Local officials had said that they were unable to establish contact with people in the area near the epicenter in Jajarkot, a hilly district with a population of 190,000 and villages scattered in remote hills.Meanwhile, the epicentre area, Ramidanda has not been reached by authorities yet.Videos and photos posted on social media showed locals digging through rubble in the dark to pull survivors from the wreckage of collapsed homes and buildings.Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed sorrow over the loss of lives because of the earthquake and ordered officials to launch search and rescue operations immediately."I am out in the open myself. We are collecting details but due to cold and night it is difficult to get information from remote areas," he told Reuters.Local media footage showed crumbled facades of multi-storied brick houses, with large pieces of furniture scattered.

"Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery," he said on X.With inputs from agencies