An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck Assam this morning, the National Center for Seismology said. Strong tremors were felt in parts of the northeast as well as north Bengal. While are there are no reports of anyone being injured, photos have emerged of broken walls and windows, and walls developing cracks.
The quake struck at 7:51 am and the epicenter was in the state’s Sonitpur district, 140 km (86 miles) north of Guwahati, the National Centre for Seismology said. Strong tremors were repeatedly felt in several parts of the northeast and neighbouring Bhutan, forcing people to run out of their homes. Two aftershocks, one measuring 4.3 on Richter took place at 7:58 am with its epicentre 30 km away from Tezpur town and the second measuring 4.4 on Richter scale at 8:01 am, 39 km from Tezpur. Parts of West Bengal also felt the aftershock. Assam Health Minister tweeted pictures showing damage to buildings in Guwahati. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and assured help. The earthquake in Assam comes weeks after an earthquake of magnitude 5.4 struck near Sikkim’s capital Gangtok.
