KATHMANDU, Nov 4 - A powerful earthquake hit the western region of Jajarkot in Nepal on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 69 people and leaving dozens injured. Witnesses reported that houses in the area had collapsed, and the tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, India.

The initial assessment by Nepal's National Seismological Centre reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.4, but the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) later downgraded it to 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 5.6.

Authorities have struggled to establish communication with the affected area, which is near the epicenter in Jajarkot. This hilly district, with its scattered villages and a population of 190,000, has made rescue efforts challenging.

Local officials confirmed that 34 people had been killed in Jajarkot, and an additional 35 deaths were reported in the neighboring Rukum West district. Harish Chandra Sharma, a Jajarkot local official, stated that rescue teams were facing difficulties in reaching the affected areas due to blocked roads caused by dry landslides triggered by the earthquake.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life and property, and he instructed security agencies to initiate immediate rescue and relief operations.

At least 20 injured individuals were rushed to hospitals, according to Suresh Sunar, a Jajarkot district official. However, collecting accurate information from remote areas has proved challenging due to the cold weather conditions and the nightfall.

The earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. (1802 GMT) in Jajarkot district, which is approximately 500 km (310 miles) west of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Local media footage showed the destruction caused by the quake, with multi-storied brick houses reduced to rubble and large pieces of furniture scattered.

Residents in neighboring districts also reported feeling the tremors, including those in Kathmandu, where buildings were evacuated. Reuters witnesses stated that the earthquake was felt as far away as New Delhi, approximately 600 km (375 miles) from the epicenter.

This tragic event brings back painful memories for Nepal, as the country had previously suffered two devastating earthquakes in 2015, resulting in the loss of around 9,000 lives and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including numerous historic sites. The economic cost of those earthquakes amounted to $6 billion.

As rescue and relief operations continue, the government and international aid agencies are working together to provide necessary assistance to the affected communities in Nepal's western region.