LIVE Earthquake in Nepal: Nepalese people gather in the middle of a road during an earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal, Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Earthquake of 7.1 magnitude epicentred in Nepal shook West Bengal, Delhi and several parts of north India. (AP)
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on richter scale epicentred in Nepal shook West Bengal, Delhi and several parts of north India today, less than three weeks after the region was struck by a devastating temblor.
Earthquake jolts were felt in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) today driven by magnitude 7.4 quake in Nepal. Delhi Metro was stalled for a while. Later Delhi Metro services were put on restricted mode with speeds being slowed down. The earthquake caused panic to spread in the public across north India.
According to latest report, two earthquakes struck India with epicentres in Nepal (7.1 in Richter scale) and Afghanistan (6.9 in Richter scale). While Nepal was shaken today, the actual epicentre of the earthquake was 22 km South-East of Zham, China.
Four people have died in Nepal’s Chautara. Three major landslides were also reported in Sindhupalchowk district.
Kathmandu airport has been shut down temporarily.
Nepalese people gather outdoors during an earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal, Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Another major earthquake has hit Nepal near the Chinese border between the capital of Kathmandu and Mount Everest. (AP)
“The earthquake measured 7.1 on richter scale with epicentre somewhere in Nepal,” an IMD official said.
The National Disaster Response Force has been put on alert after two earthquakes struck India with epicentres in Nepal and Afghanistan. “The Home Ministry is collecting details and information about any damage from earthquake in India. NDRF has been placed on alert,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
The Home Minister called up India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjeet Ray and took stock of the situation in the Himalayan nation.
Immediately after the earthquake at around 12:35 PM, panic-stricken people were seen rushing out of buildings in Delhi.
Authorities said in many areas in Delhi, high-rise buildings are being vacated.
The earthquake tremors lasted for around one minute.
In Kolkata, hundreds of people ran out of their homes and offices into the streets.
In Bihar capital Patna, people were seen running away from building into open spaces. Similar reports were coming from Assam and other eastern states.
The tremors were also felt as far as Chennai.
The Delhi Secretariat as well as many government buildings were evacuated immediately after the earthquake.
Authorities said there was no immediate report of any major damage.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all senior officials to monitor the situation.
Civil defence volunteers have deep deployed in various areas to make an assessment of damage by the earthquake.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also sought reports from all District Magistrates about extent of damage in their areas.
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.
Tremors felt in Chennai
Mild tremors were felt in some parts of the city here today as the fallout of a powerful earthquake epicentred in Nepal, officials said.
Tremors were felt in Valasaravakkam, Santhome and parts of Kodambakkam, they said.
The Seismology Unit of the Regional Meterological Centre here said the tremors were felt as a result of the 7.1 magnitude quake epicentred in Nepal.
Residents and office-goers fled buildings in the localities to safer zone. There were no reports of any damage to life or property, police said.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale epicentred in Nepal shook West Bengal, Delhi and several parts of north India today.
Tremors felt in West Bengal
Parts of West Bengal were today rocked by an earthquake, that had its epicentre in Nepal, causing panic among the people.
“Earthquake which had its epicentre in Nepal region, was felt here in the city and other parts of the Eastern region.
The quake measured 7.1- 7.2 on richter scale. We are still waiting for more details,” D K Das , a senior official of Kolkata Metrological department said.
Hundreds of people ran out of their homes, offices, metro stations and high rise buildings, and assembled on the streets. The tremors were felt in various parts of the city especially in Lake Town, Salt Lake, Dalhouise and Park street area.
People ran out of Metro stations and high rise buildings.
The April 25 Earthquake had claimed over 8000 lives in Nepal. Several people were also killed in India following the quake.
Earthquake in Nepal: This is the region in China where the epicentre of the quake is located – Zhangmuzhen, Rikaze, Xizang, China.
Bihar shaken by temblor again
Earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale was felt in Patna and other parts of Bihar this afternoon.
The earthquake was felt at 12:35 pm, state Meteorological department said.
Initial reports suggest that tremors were felt across several parts of the state including Darbhanga, East Champaran and Kisanganj.
The earthquake sent people into panic.
In the capital city Patna, citizens were seen running out from buildings into open spaces.
In many schools, children ran to safety in field.
Quake jolts Jharkhand
Tremors were felt in several places in Jharkhand today but no loss of life or property damage was reported.
Tremors were felt in Ranchi, Dumka, Giridih and in other places around 12.35 PM for a few seconds, an official said.
There was no report of any damage to life or property.
Updates:
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on richter scale epicentred in Nepal shook West Bengal, Delhi and several parts of north India today, less than three weeks after the region was struck by a devastating temblor.
7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Nepal: USGS.
Immediately after the quake at around 12:35 PM, panic-stricken people were seen rushing out of buildings in Delhi.
Metro services were immediately put on restricted mode with speeds being slowed down.
Authorities said in many areas, high-rise buildings are being vacated.
Tremors also felt in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
Another strong earthquake hits Nepal, no reports of casualties
A strong earthquake shook Nepal on Tuesday, sending people in the capital Kathmandu rushing out on to the streets just weeks after a devastating quake killed more than 8,000 people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.
The U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday’s earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 and struck 68 km (about 42 miles) west of the town of Namche Bazar, close to Mount Everest and the border with Tibet. It was felt as far apart as New Delhi and Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Residents in the Indian town of Siliguri, near the border with Nepal, said chunks of concrete fell off one or two buildings.
People in Kathmandu, panic-stricken after the April 25 quake, rushed outdoors, Reuters reporters said.
Parents could be seen clutching children tightly and hundreds of people were frantically trying to call relatives on their mobile phones. Shopkeepers closed their shops and the streets were jammed with people rushing to check on their families.
“I’m heading straight home,” said Bishal Rai, a man in his 20s, who said he was trying to contact his family in the north of the capital.
The quake’s epicentre was close to Everest Base Camp, which was evacuated after an avalanche triggered by last month’s quake killed 18 climbers. Mountaineers seeking to scale the world’s tallest peak have called off this year’s Everest season.
Last month’s quake killed at least 8,046 people and injured more than 17,800. It was recorded at 7.8 magnitude, almost four times stronger than Tuesday’s quake.
But a 7.4 magnitude earthquake has the potential to cause significant damage and landslides.