 "Huge earthquake claims nine lives in Northeast")
A moderate-to-high intensity earthquake rocked the Northeast of India on Monday at 4.37am, leaving at least nine people dead and over 100 injured. Measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, the earthquake had its epicentre at Tamenglong district, bordering Assam, in Manipur.
Though powerful tremors were felt across the region, Manipur suffered the maximum damage in terms of human lives and property. So far, at least eight people had lost their lives in Manipur and around 30 people have been seriously injured.
Besides, more than hundred people were admitted to hospitals with minor injuries. An under-construction building in Imphal town came crashing down due to the impact of the earthquake.
According to reports, two persons were killed in Guwahati city. Many buildings in Guwahati city have developed minor cracks.
"Two persons have died and around 20 injury cases were reported in Guwahati but most of them were minor cases. All injuries and deaths were due to panic reaction by the people when they tried to run out of their homes. We have to create awareness among people not to panic, but to act in a calm and composed manner when an earthquake strikes," said Tarun Gogoi, chief minister of Assam.
Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with 45 members each, were rushed to Manipur from Guwahati hours after the quake struck. Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jitendra Singh, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh would be visiting Manipur on Monday Okram Ibobi Singh, chief minister of Manipur, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the home minister called him in the morning to enquire about the situation.
In New Delhi, the Cabinet secretary convened a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee at 10am to assess the situation and provide all necessary help to the affected states.
Though powerful tremors were felt across the region, Manipur suffered the maximum damage in terms of human lives and property. So far, at least eight people had lost their lives in Manipur and around 30 people have been seriously injured.
Besides, more than hundred people were admitted to hospitals with minor injuries. An under-construction building in Imphal town came crashing down due to the impact of the earthquake.
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There are reports that hundreds of properties in the state have developed cracks and damages. One market in Imphal is reported to have been partly damaged.
According to reports, two persons were killed in Guwahati city. Many buildings in Guwahati city have developed minor cracks.
"Two persons have died and around 20 injury cases were reported in Guwahati but most of them were minor cases. All injuries and deaths were due to panic reaction by the people when they tried to run out of their homes. We have to create awareness among people not to panic, but to act in a calm and composed manner when an earthquake strikes," said Tarun Gogoi, chief minister of Assam.
Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with 45 members each, were rushed to Manipur from Guwahati hours after the quake struck. Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jitendra Singh, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh would be visiting Manipur on Monday Okram Ibobi Singh, chief minister of Manipur, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the home minister called him in the morning to enquire about the situation.
In New Delhi, the Cabinet secretary convened a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee at 10am to assess the situation and provide all necessary help to the affected states.