Mustang, Sept 9: Lomanthang in Mustang experienced seven earthquake tremors in the past 24 hours, leaving residents of the northern rural municipality fearful.
The repeated earthquakes have caused significant damage to the historic and tourist town, according to Lomanthang Rural Municipality Chair Tashi Nhurbu Gurung.
Many houses in the centuries-old mud-built town have developed cracks and become unsafe for habitation. Gurung said almost all houses in the rural municipality have sustained some damage, while more than 50 per cent are at high risk and cannot be occupied immediately.
“The earthquakes have damaged both old and new houses. Most buildings have developed cracks,” he said. “If the shaking continues for a little longer, everything could collapse.”
According to Gurung, around 20 to 30 per cent of the houses have become completely uninhabitable, while about 50 per cent have sustained significant damage. No human or livestock casualties have been reported.
A team comprising technical experts, Nepal Police and Armed Police personnel has been deployed to assess the damage, said Newton Lamsal, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality.
“Elected representatives, staff, technical personnel and security teams have begun visiting each ward to assess the damage and prepare records,” he said.
As Lomanthang contains numerous historic traditional structures made of mud, authorities fear that further aftershocks could cause more buildings to collapse.
The rural municipality said it is collecting detailed damage assessments and has informed the district administration as well as the federal and provincial governments.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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