NEW DELHI:  Two huge earthquakes measuring 7.3 and 6.9 on the Richter scale hit Nepal today within a difference of 30 minutes – the first one struck at 12:35 pm and the second one just after 1 pm. Four people have been killed, reports news agency Associated Press.

Tremors were felt across major swathes of North India, including Delhi, at about 12.40 pm. While the first earthquake was epicentred between the Nepali capital of Kathmandu and Mount Everest, the second one struck near Kodari in Nepal, the US Geological Survey said.
8,000 people had been killed and more than 17,000 injured in Nepal which was devastated on April 25 by a temblor that weighed in at 7.9. 50 people had died in Bihar.
People rushed out of their homes and offices in cities like Patna in Bihar and Gurgaon near Delhi. Delhi’s Metro service too was halted for a few minutes. “News of an earthquake hitting Nepal again has come. Several parts of India also felt the tremors.
MHA is collecting more details and info,” tweeted Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Like April’s earthquake, today’s was shallow – 15 km deep. Shallow quakes are more deadly because the amount of energy released is focused over a smaller area.
People in Kathmandu rushed outdoors, Reuters reporters said. Some building also collapsed in Chautara in Nepal and the injured were brought to hospital, Reuters said citing locals authorities. Shopkeepers closed their shops.The Kathmandu airport has been shut down following the earthquake.
Reuters also reported that the epicentre of first earthquake was close to Everest Base Camp, which was evacuated after an avalanche triggered by the April 25 quake killed 18 climbers. Mountaineers seeking to scale the world’s tallest peak have called off this year’s Everest season.

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