PTI | Shillong | Sep 18, 2011
Buildings and roads were damaged and powerlines snapped in several parts of the northeast region which was today rocked by its most powerful quake in over two decades measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale.
The quake occurred at around 6.10 pm with the epicentre at Sikkim-Nepal border, followed by two aftershocks minutes later at 6.21pm and 6.42 pm measuring 6.1 and 5.3 respectively, Indian Meteorological Department here said.
Today's quake occurred 21 km below the surface and IMD officials said the effect was more near the epicentre as the depth was shallow.
Scientists at IMD have indicated that there could be aftershocks but it could not be predicted with cent per cent accuracy.
In neighbouring Assam, one woman was injured in wall collapse in Dhubri district, while buildings developed cracks and electric poles were uprooted in various parts of the state. Mobile and telephone services were also disrupted across the state, sources said.
Angshuman Talukdar, a resident of Darjeeling town, said the entire area had been enveloped in darkness after the quake.
All residents of the town rushed out of their homes and were camping outside, despite the constant drizzle and the cold, he said over phone.
All shops were closed and many people were waiting at the nearby government school compound as series of small aftershocks were being felt.
Talukdar said the staircase of the apartment building he lives in had collapsed as also in many others.
"I don't know whether my building has developed cracks ... We are very worried, specially since there is no power," he said.
Source: http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?735280
Buildings and roads were damaged and powerlines snapped in several parts of the northeast region which was today rocked by its most powerful quake in over two decades measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale.
The quake occurred at around 6.10 pm with the epicentre at Sikkim-Nepal border, followed by two aftershocks minutes later at 6.21pm and 6.42 pm measuring 6.1 and 5.3 respectively, Indian Meteorological Department here said.
Today's quake occurred 21 km below the surface and IMD officials said the effect was more near the epicentre as the depth was shallow.
Scientists at IMD have indicated that there could be aftershocks but it could not be predicted with cent per cent accuracy.
In neighbouring Assam, one woman was injured in wall collapse in Dhubri district, while buildings developed cracks and electric poles were uprooted in various parts of the state. Mobile and telephone services were also disrupted across the state, sources said.
Angshuman Talukdar, a resident of Darjeeling town, said the entire area had been enveloped in darkness after the quake.
All residents of the town rushed out of their homes and were camping outside, despite the constant drizzle and the cold, he said over phone.
All shops were closed and many people were waiting at the nearby government school compound as series of small aftershocks were being felt.
Talukdar said the staircase of the apartment building he lives in had collapsed as also in many others.
"I don't know whether my building has developed cracks ... We are very worried, specially since there is no power," he said.
Source: http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?735280