KATHMANDU, Nepal - A powerful magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck northwestern Nepal on Friday, resulting in a tragic loss of more than 150 lives and leaving dozens more injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams rush to search the remote Himalayan villages that have been disconnected from communication networks.

The Himalayan nation has long experienced the devastating effects of earthquakes. Over the years, several deadly tremors have struck Nepal, wreaking havoc and causing immense human suffering.

One of the most catastrophic earthquakes to hit Nepal occurred on July 29, 1980, when a 6.5 magnitude quake struck the Nepal-India border. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 200 people and left thousands injured.

Another major seismic event struck Nepal's capital on August 20, 1988, in the form of a 6.9 magnitude quake. The tremor rocked the city, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 1,000 individuals, with thousands more sustaining injuries.

However, the most devastating earthquake to date hit Nepal on April 25, 2015. With a magnitude of 7.8, the quake claimed the lives of approximately 9,000 people, making it the deadliest in Nepal's recorded history. The impact was further magnified by the extensive damage it caused to around 1 million structures. Prior to this catastrophe, the region's deadliest earthquake occurred in 1934, claiming the lives of over 8,000 individuals.

Just weeks after the April 2015 earthquake, another deadly tremor struck Nepal on May 12. This magnitude 5.6 aftershock, one of the approximately two dozen sequels to the earlier disaster, caused over 200 fatalities and left more than 2,000 injured.

Recent years have not been spared from seismic activity either. On November 10, 2022, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the mountains of west Nepal, claiming the lives of at least 6 individuals.

Now, on November 3, 2023, tragedy has once again struck Nepal as a powerful 5.6 magnitude quake jolted northwestern Nepal. The earthquake has already claimed the lives of more than 150 people, while dozens remain injured. Rescue efforts are underway to provide assistance to the affected communities and ensure the safety and well-being of survivors.

Nepal, nestled among vast mountain ranges and prone to geological instabilities, continues to face the devastating effects of earthquakes. Efforts towards understanding, preparing, and responding to these natural disasters are crucial to minimizing their impact on the population and safeguarding lives in the future.