Strong quake hits Assam, no casualties

A strong earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale, shook Guwahati and parts of Assam today, triggering panic among the people, especially among the residents of Guwahati.

Today’s earthquake — the fifth in Guwahati in the last 40 days — struck at around 2.30 pm and lasted for nearly 20 seconds.

Tremors were also felt in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and North Bengal.

The epicentre of the quake was at Mongar in Bhutan, and about 125 km north-west of Guwahati, the Regional Seismological Centre said.

Though there was no immediate reports of any casualties or damage, according to local media reports, a few buildings and high rises in Guwahati developed cracks due to the jolt.

Suspecting that these tremors might be a prelude to a major earthquake in the coming days, a sense of fear and panic has gripped the people of Guwahati. Experts, too, haven’t ruled out the probability of a major quake in Assam soon.

People living in apartments and high rises are the most panicked people as they feel themselves too be the most vulnerable. Today, when the earthquake struck, people were seen rushing out of their apartments and taking shelter outside.

North-East India is the sixth major earthquake prone belt in the world. Assam had on June 12, 1897, experienced world’s one of the most powerful earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on Richter Scale. The state was also witness to another such powerful and deadly earthquake in 1950.