Jajarkot-Rukum Earthquake — 153 Killed, Worst in 8 Years
जाजरकोट-रुकुम भूकम्प — १५३ को मृत्यु
Critical Fact Level
This record includes death tolls, violence, or major allegations. All figures are sourced and dated. Counts may change as investigations continue.
What happened
Late at night in November 2023, a strong earthquake struck western Nepal while most people were asleep. 153 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed. It was Nepal's deadliest earthquake since the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.
Full Verified Record
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 11:47 PM on 3 November 2023 with the epicentre in Jajarkot district. 153 people were killed and over 360 injured across Jajarkot and Rukum West districts. Over 26,000 houses were fully or partially damaged. Being winter and nighttime, many were asleep, compounding casualties. International aid was deployed, but the mountainous terrain slowed access.
नोभेम्बर ३, २०२३ मा राति ११:४७ मा जाजरकोटमा ६.४ म्याग्निच्युडको भूकम्प गयो। १५३ को मृत्यु, ३६०+ घाइते र २६,०००+ घर क्षति।
Why it mattered
The Jajarkot earthquake was Nepal's deadliest since 2015 and exposed the unchanged vulnerability of remote mountain districts. Rescue access remained poor eight years after the country pledged post-Gorkha earthquake infrastructure upgrades.
Who was affected
153 killed, 360+ injured, 26,000+ households displaced. Jajarkot and West Rukum districts most affected. International NGOs, UNICEF, and Indian relief teams deployed.
Public reaction
National mourning. Anger at slow reconstruction from the 2015 earthquake resurfaced — many were still in temporary shelters nearly a decade later.
Policy areas affected
Sources cited
- 1.
Reuters: Nepal earthquake kills 153 in western districts
ReutersAccessed 2023-11-04 - 2.
NDRRMA Situation Report — Jajarkot Earthquake 2023
NDRRMA NepalAccessed 2023-11-07
Verification
verified
Editorial status
reviewed
Fact sensitivity
Level 4 of 5
Last updated
28 May 2026