A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on Saturday morning with tremors felt as far away as New Delhi. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 80 kilometers northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. After the powerful quake, several buildings and touristic places were devastated.
Kathmandu is home to gems such as Durbar Square. Durbar Square is the generic name used to describe plazas and areas opposite the old royal palaces in Nepal. There are three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. All three were UNESCO World Heritage Sites. According to sources, Kathmandu Durbar Square completely destroyed, Bhaktapur around 85 percent and half of Patan destroyed.
Dharahara, which is also called Bhimsen Tower – one of the tallest buildings in the capital, was also devastated in the major earthquake in Nepal.
Southern gate of royal palace was also fallen down.
Avalanches were reported on Mount Everest, sending mountaineers running for cover.
Kathmandu Airport is shut. Domestic airlines today put on hold their services to the Nepal capital Kathmandu, following the closure of runway due to a powerful earthquake that rocked central part of the Himalyan country, causing extensive damage to buildings. All Indian carriers- national airline Air India and private carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, have put on hold their flight services till they get a go-ahead from the Nepalese aviation authorities.
Jet Airways spokesperson said its flight which was on its way to Kathmandu that is diverted to Lucknow, would come back to Mumbai, while its Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi flight has been cancelled.
The quake, which struck at 11:41 local time (05:51 GMT). occurred at a depth of 9.3 miles, which is considered shallow and potentially more damaging than a quake centered deeper under the earth's crust.
