Tremor Jolts Central, Eastern Nepal

By Yuba Nath Lamsal KATHMANDU, July 22 (Bernama) -- A mild tremor measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale struck central and eastern Nepal on Tuesday, causing another wave of fear among Nepalese who are barely recovering from the April 25 massive earthquake. According to the National Seismological Centre (NSC), the earthquake's epicentre was Dolkha, about 100km east of Kathmandu. It was said to be the aftershock of the 7.9 magnitutde earthquake on April 25, which left almost 9,000 dead, said NSC. The impact of the tremor was felt in eastern and central Nepal, including Kathmandu. No fresh damage was recorded so far, due to Tuesday’s tremor, said Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesman of the Nepalese home ministry. This is the first significant aftershock in four days. NSC’s seismologist Bijaya Adhikari said aftershocks were normal after a big earthquake and he urged the people not to panic. He said there was little chance of another big earthquake in the near future in central and eastern Nepal. NSC has recorded more than 30,000 aftershocks since the April 25 massive earthquake, with over 375 aftershocks of over 4 magnitude. -- BERNAMA