New Delhi, India (BBN)-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 The Indian Express.
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.
“The quake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, occurred at 4.37 a.m and had its epicentre in Manipur’s Tamenglong district,” said an official of the regional seismological centre here in Meghalaya.
Power supply has been cut-off in Imphal and is yet to be restored.
At around 9.30 am, a fresh tremor measuring 3.6 on the Richter Scale hit Manipur.
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.
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.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed deep distress at the reported deaths and destruction caused by the earthquake in the Northeast states.
The Congress party tweeted that its CMs in the region will ensure immediate relief and rescue operations.
Moreover, the party’s units and frontal organisations will help in aid relief work.
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.
People ran out of their homes looking for safe places in Mizoram capital Aizwal and the quake was also felt in other parts of the state.
Lalchuailova, a resident of Aizawl, said that it was the strongest earthquake he had ever experienced during his 50 years. Nagaland State Disaster Management Agency said that strong tremors were felt across the state, but there were no reports of any damage.
The official residence of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cachar district, which is near the epicentre at Tamenglong in Manipur, was damaged.
BBN/SK/AD