A powerful earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck western Nepal at 2:47 AM local time, with its epicenter located approximately 18 kilometers northwest of Jajarkot district headquarters. The National Seismological Centre confirmed the quake's depth at 10 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow tremor with high destructive potential. Strong shaking was felt across Jajarkot, Rukum, Dailekh, and Surkhet districts, with tremors reported as far as Nepalgunj and parts of Karnali Province.

Preliminary reports from local authorities indicate that at least 14 people have been killed and over 60 injured, with numbers expected to rise as search and rescue operations reach remote villages. Multiple mud-and-stone homes have collapsed in Barekot and Bheri rural municipalities, where traditional construction offers little resistance to seismic forces. The District Administration Office in Jajarkot has declared a local emergency and appealed for immediate assistance from the federal government.

The Nepal Army has dispatched two helicopters from Surkhet for aerial assessment and casualty evacuation, while the Armed Police Force has mobilized ground teams along the Karnali Highway corridor. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has activated its emergency operations center in Kathmandu and is coordinating with provincial disaster management committees. Communication lines in several affected areas have been disrupted, hampering real-time assessment of the damage.

Prime Minister's Office has issued a statement expressing deep concern and directing all security agencies to prioritize rescue operations. The Home Ministry has authorized the release of emergency relief supplies from regional warehouses in Nepalgunj. International organizations including the Red Cross and UNICEF have offered logistical support. Aftershocks measuring between 3.2 and 4.1 have continued to rattle the region, forcing survivors to remain outdoors in freezing temperatures.