New Delhi, Sept 18: An earthquake of moderate intensity measuring 6.8 on Richter Scale with its epicentre on the Sikkim-Nepal border shook northeast and northern parts of the country, including the national capital, this evening.
The epicentre of the quake was located at Latitude 27.7 degree North and Longitude 88.2 degree East, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Immediately after getting the report, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and offered him all necessary help.
With the quake felt in Assam, parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Prime Minister directed the Cabinet Secretary to call an emergency meeting of the disaster management authority.
The quake which was felt for some seconds around 6:10 pm triggered panic among the people who were enjoying their Sunday evening.
There was however no immediate report on any casualty or damage to property.
In the national capital, the tremor was felt in certain parts — the second such experience within a fortnight after Delhiites were jolted around midnight on September 7.
Delhi's suburb Gurgaon and some other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced very mild tremor.
The quake was also felt in various parts of Bihar, a Patna report said. As buildings shook, people rushed out to open places.
A report from Darbhanga district in north Bihar said the quake was felt there too. The tremor was also felt in Madhubani, Samastipur, Nawada, Munger and other districts.
Neighbouring Jharkhand also felt the shock, according to a Ranchi report.
“We saw computers, chairs and tables rattling in our office,” said Manu Singh and Binod Singh, who were among those who rushed out in the open.
People in Sahebganj and Giridih also experienced the tremor.
In the north, besides the national capital, the tremors were felt in Jaipur and nearby areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Panic gripped people in Lucknow and some other places in Uttar Pradesh where the quake was also felt. The tremors were felt in Mau, Azamgarh, Deoria, Ballia and other towns.
The earthquake was also experienced in parts of Haryana and Chandigarh where the intensity was mild.
A Bhopal report said reports of tremors were received from Gwalior, Bhopal, Hoshangabad and other parts of Madhya Pradesh. PTI
