Environment/Science
Environment/Science
At least 12 killed, 130 injured in North-East earthquake

05 Jan 2016, 06:53 am Print

Imphal / Guwahati, Jan 4 (JEN) At least 12 people were killed and more than 130 injured when an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale hit Manipur and Assam in the Northeast on the wee hours of Monday, officials said.

The Manipur government said that at least 10 people were killed alone in Imphal town so far. 

The deaths occurred from building collapses in Imphal town, the state capital. 

Two  deaths were reported from Guwahati in Assam. 

Several structures, including government buildings, shopping malls and residential buildings  collapsed in the quake in Imphal town. 

The epicentre of the quake, which was felt at 4:35 hrs and at a depth of 17 km, was located  at latitude 24.8 degrees north and  longitude 93.5 degrees east, the  India Meteorological Department (IMD)  website said. 

The IMD has called the earthquake as 'moderate'. 

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) website said the intensity of the quake was 6.8. 

Tremors were felt in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar. 

Damage to property due to the earthquake has been reported from Imphal. 

“People are shocked after the quake and they  took shelter outside  their houses,” an official of Manipur government said. 

Two DRF team have been sent to Manipur for rescue operation. 

Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, who was staying in Guwahati on a two-day visit to Assam said that the central government will provide all support to the Manipur and Assam governments for rescue operation. 

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi  called an emergency high level meeting in Guwahati to review the situation.

 



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)