The United States Geological Survey assigned the quake a preliminary magnitude of 7.3, with an epicenter about 50 miles east of Kathmandu, near the border with China. Nepal’s minister for information and communications preliminary said that 16 people were known to have been killed. The main road leading to Chautara is completely blocked with debris. Buildings still standing in the village had not fallen down but many would have to be demolished after the new earthquake. Hundreds of people were rushing for the exits at the airport in Kathmandu. Residents in Kathmandu would face a choice of staying outside overnight, and risk being caught in the rain.
