Earthquake in Nepal: 65 killed in magnitude 7.3 quake; 17 dead in India
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A massive earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude (earlier reports had indicated anything between 7.1 to 7.4) on Richter scale epicentred near Nepal, shook Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and several parts of India today, less than three weeks after the region was struck by a devastating temblor. While 65 people were killed in Nepal and thousands injured, 17 died in India, 16 of them in Bihar and 39 others were injured.
Earthquake jolts were felt in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) today driven by the earthquake in Nepal. Delhi Metro was stalled for a while. Later Delhi Metro services were put on restricted mode with speeds being slowed down. The earthquake caused panic to spread in the public across north India, but timely intervention by authorities limited fallout, if any.
Two earthquakes struck India with epicentres in Nepal (7.1 in Richter scale) and Afghanistan (6.9 in Richter scale). While Nepal was shaken today, the actual epicentre of the earthquake was 22 km South-East of Zham, China. Also Read: Nepal earthquake could have been worse. Here’s why While 16 persons were reported killed in Bihar, 4 people died in Nepal’s Chautara. Three major landslides were also reported in Sindhupalchowk district. Kathmandu airport was shut down temporarily, but has been running thereafter.
“The earthquake measured 7.3 on richter scale with epicentre somewhere in Nepal,” an IMD official said. The National Disaster Response Force has been put on alert after two earthquakes struck India with epicentres in Nepal and Afghanistan. “The Home Ministry is collecting details and information about any damage from earthquake in India. NDRF has been placed on alert,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. The Home Minister called up India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjeet Ray and took stock of the situation in the Himalayan nation.
Immediately after the earthquake at around 12:35 PM, panic-stricken people were seen rushing out of buildings in Delhi.
Authorities said in many areas in Delhi, high-rise buildings are being vacated.
The earthquake tremors lasted for around one minute.
In Kolkata, hundreds of people ran out of their homes and offices into the streets.
In Bihar capital Patna, people were seen running away from building into open spaces. Similar reports were coming from Assam and other eastern states.
The tremors were also felt as far as Chennai.
The Delhi Secretariat as well as many government buildings were evacuated immediately after the earthquake.
Authorities said there was no immediate report of any major damage.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all senior officials to monitor the situation. Civil defence volunteers have deep deployed in various areas to make an assessment of damage by the earthquake. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also sought reports from all District Magistrates about extent of damage in their areas. The April 25 earthquake which measured 7.9 on richter scale had claimed over 8,000 lives in Nepal. Nearly 80 people were also killed in India, mostly in Bihar, due to the temblor.
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