6.7 Richter Scale Earthquake hits Manipur; 6 dead over 50 injured

An earthquake of moderate intensity rocked India’s northeastern states and adjoining Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday morning, officials said.

In India, six people died due to injuries and at least 35 people were injured in Imphal, where a building collapsed. Reports of injuries also came in from Siliguri district of West Bengal. The number of those injured is likely to rise. Two NDRF teams have been rushed to Imphal from Guwahati.

Power supply has been cut-off in Imphal and is yet to be restored.

Meanwhile, the National Crisis Management Committee is scheduled to meet at 10.30 am to assess the situation. The NDMA is monitoring the situation and coordinating rescue efforts.

“The quake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, occurred at 4.37 a.m and had its epicentre in Manipur’s Tamenglong district bordering,” said an official of the regional seismological centre here in Meghalaya.
The inside of a house after the earthquake struck Northeast India. The inside of a house after the earthquake struck Northeast India.

The earthquake was felt in parts of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who is currently in Assam, asking that all steps be taken to provide any necessary relief to those affected.

The Prime Minister’s Office also said that PM Modi is monitoring the situation and that he has already spoken to Chief Ministers Tarun Gogoi and Nabam Tuki.

“An NDRF team has been instructed to move from Guwahati to the areas affected by the earthquake.” the PMO said.

The Northeast region of India is considered the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world.
People panicked and rushed out of their homes in Gauhati, as they felt massive shaking at least twice within 60 seconds, The Associated Press reports, adding that in Imphal, residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves but no major damage has been reported so far.

“The ground swayed for almost a minute, jolting people awake in their homes,” Apem Arthur, a resident told AP.
The area is dotted with small houses. There are few tall buildings in the region, she said.
The tremors were also felt in Kolkata.

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Source:Indianexpress

Earthquake