2 killed in India after another powerful earthquake

Two persons were killed in Bihar as a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude with epicentre in Nepal today sent ripples through large parts of east and north India, including Delhi, less than three weeks after the region was struck by a devastating temblor.

The quake measuring 7.3 struck at 12:35 PM and was epicentred around 70 kilometres east of Kathmandu at a depth of 18.5 kilometres, Indian Meteorological Department said, adding three aftershocks of 6.2, 5.4 and 4.8 followed the quake.

The Home Ministry said there was also a near simultaneous earthquake epicentred in Afghanistan which measured 6.9.

According to officials, one person died in Danapur area of Patna district and another person in Siwan district in wall collapse incidents in Bihar, where 58 people were killed in the April 25 quake measuring 7.9 magnitude.

With the memories of the temblor still fresh, panic-stricken people rushed out of buildings in Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Schools were vacated after the tremors in many parts of the country. At least 12 students were injured in a school in Darbhanga in Bihar as children rushed out to safety from class rooms after the tremors.

In Kolkata, people rushed out of their offices in the central business district, causing traffic snarls.

In Kolkata, hundreds of people ran out of their homes and offices into the streets. Similar reports came from Assam and other eastern states. The tremors were also felt in Bhopal and as far as Chennai.

PM takes stock

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed all authorities concerned to be on alert for rescue and relief operations as required.

“PM took stock of the situation following the fresh major earthquake felt in Nepal and parts of India, at a high—level meeting,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

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.

The Delhi Secretariat as well as many government buildings in the national capital were evacuated immediately after the quake. Metro services were immediately restricted.

Authorities said in many areas, high—rise buildings were vacated.

Director General of IMD LS Rathore said aftershocks will continue for weeks or maybe months.

The National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad, said this was the largest aftershock recorded since the earthquake of 7.8 magnitude that struck Nepal on April 25.

N Purnachandar Rao, an NGRI Siesmologist, said almost 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the Nepal quake last month, many of them with a magnitude between 5-6.

He said the present earthquake can cause further damage to structures which have been weakened. Though large aftershocks are not unusual, a tremor of this magnitude could cause further damage.

NDRF put on alert

The Home Ministry is collecting details about the damage from the earthquake. NDRF has been placed on alert, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Delhi.

Control room opened in West Bengal

At least eight people were injured in West Bengal, state officials said.

“So far eight persons received minor injuries during the earthquake. Three were from Siliguri and five others were from Matigara in north Bengal,” state Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee said.

“Round-the-clock Control Room has been opened at Nabanna (secretariat) and the numbers are 1070 and 22143526.

We are with all our brothers and sisters,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Facebook

District magistrates and police superintendents of all districts have been asked to open control rooms with a central control room at the state secretariat under direct supervision of the Disaster Management department, officials said in Kolkata.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also called up India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjeet Ray and took stock of the situation in the Himalayan nation.

At least four persons have been killed in Nepal in today’s earthquake.

The Home Minister said that he would hold a meeting with senior officials and whatever assistance is required would be provided.

“India is ready to provide assistance to Nepal,” he said.

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