Seven earthquakes shake Lomanthang within 24 hours, dozens of homes damaged

Mustang, September 9, 2026 — Residents of Lomanthang in northern Mustang have been left frightened after the area experienced seven earthquake tremors within the past 24 hours, with repeated shaking causing significant damage to homes and historic structures.

Tashi Nhurbu Gurung, chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, said the repeated earthquakes have damaged a large number of buildings in the historic and tourist destination.

Lomanthang is known for its centuries-old earthen structures, and many houses have developed cracks following the tremors. According to Gurung, almost all houses within the rural municipality have sustained some form of cracking, while more than half are considered at high risk and may not be immediately safe for habitation.

“Both old and new buildings have been affected by the earthquakes. Most houses have developed cracks,” Gurung said. He warned that the remaining structures could collapse if prolonged or further strong shaking occurs.

Gurung estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of houses have become completely uninhabitable, while around half have sustained varying degrees of damage.

No human or livestock casualties have been reported in the earthquakes so far, according to the rural municipality.

Newton Lamsal, chief administrative officer of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, said teams including technical personnel, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force have been deployed to assess the damage.

Elected representatives, municipal employees, technical teams and security personnel have begun visiting individual wards to inspect damaged structures and prepare official records of the losses, Lamsal said.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the vulnerability of Lomanthang's traditional earthen structures. Further aftershocks could increase the risk of additional buildings collapsing, officials said.

The rural municipality said a detailed assessment of the damage is underway and information has been shared with the District Administration Office as well as the federal and provincial governments.