New Delhi:
The death toll due to the powerful earthquake in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has reached 128. 188 people have been injured. According to China’s government news agency Xinhua, the earthquake occurred at 9:05 am on Tuesday (6:30 am according to Indian time). Its center was in Tingri, which is a rural county. It is known as the northern gateway to the Mount Everest region. The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi). The US Geological Survey has reported the intensity of the earthquake as 7.1. Earthquake tremors were also felt in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan and parts of India. Meanwhile, this earthquake in Tibet has once again brought China’s plan to build a big dam in this region into question.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in the Shigatse region of Tibet, where 800,000 people live. This area is administered by Shigatse. It is the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures of Tibetan Buddhism.
The epicenter of the earthquake was about 80 kilometers from Everest.
China, Nepal and southwestern parts of northern India are often affected by earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The epicenter of Tuesday’s earthquake was about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain.
188 people have been injured in the devastation after the earthquake.
21 earthquakes have occurred in Lhasa block
Since 1950, 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater have occurred in the Lhasa Block, the largest of which was the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Mainling in 2017. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, killing nearly 9,000 people in the country’s worst earthquake ever. Thousands of people were injured. Among the dead, at least 18 people were killed due to snowfall at Mount Everest Base Camp.
China is building hydro electric dam on Zangbo River
Menling is located in the lower reaches of Tibet’s Yarlung Zangbo River, where China is planning to build the world’s largest hydro electric dam. India has also expressed its concerns regarding this project. However, Beijing is moving ahead with its plan.
China defended its project
China said on Monday that the dam being built on the Brahmaputra river will not have any negative impact on India and Bangladesh. This was said after New Delhi registered its opposition to the proposed project.
“China’s construction of a hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra River) has undergone rigorous scientific verification. It will protect the downstream countries’ ecosystems, environment, geology and water,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a media briefing. There will be no negative impact on resources.”
Since 1950, 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or more have occurred in Lhasa Block.
Jiakun said that this dam will contribute to downstream disaster prevention, mitigation and climate change response to some extent.
India had opposed the project
Earlier, India had expressed its opposition to this dam project. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday, “We have seen the information issued by Xinhua on December 25, 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra River) in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. On the waters of the river As a riparian country, we have consistently expressed our views and concerns to the Chinese side about the mega project on the rivers in their territory through expert level and diplomatic channels. Have made it clear.”
Jaiswal said, “These concerns have been reiterated following the latest report, while also emphasizing the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the downstream countries of the Brahmaputra We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to ensure that our interests are not harmed by activities in the upstream areas.”
Level-3 emergency declared
After the earthquake, a large number of people are trapped under the debris. Rescue operation is going on. China’s State Council has sent a task force to the earthquake affected area. Meanwhile, Level-3 emergency has been declared.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in the Shigatse region of Tibet, where 800,000 people live.
Infrastructure badly damaged
The infrastructure of the area has been badly damaged due to the earthquake, due to which the supply of both electricity and water has been affected.
China closed Everest’s tourist point
China has closed tourist points on its part of Mount Everest after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Mount Everest is also known as Mount Qomolangma. Located on the China-Nepal border, Mount Qomolangma rises more than 8,840 metres, with its northern side lying in Tibet. China calls it Jijang. Dingri is the base camp of the world’s highest peak.
Employees and tourists are safe after the earthquake. However, there is a power outage at the Qimolungma Station for Atmospheric and Environmental Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Dingri. Despite this, the facilities are in good condition.
