Moderate earthquake creates panic in Andaman

Port Blair, Dec 23 (UNI) A moderate earthquake of 5.9 on Richter scale jolted Andaman and Nicobar Islands early this morning, have creating a flutter among the islanders, who ran out of their houses in panic.

The earthquake lasted for nearly 30 seconds. The tsunami, which was triggered by a mega quake in December 2004, had killed nearly 3500 people in this remote archipelago and left haunting memories for all.

'' People came running out of their houses as the epicenter was close to our islands. We had probably felt it more than the others.

People became panic stricken,'' Paritosh Halder, a grassroot leader in Hut Bay, told UNI.

According to reports the quake which measured 5.9 on the Richter scale, hit at 1:20 a.m. The epicentre was near Hut Bay, 116 km south of the capital Port Blair.

'' We were concerned about the people here and were in touch with local Administration to know if there was any tsunami warning but everything was normal,'' said C Palani Swami, Pradhan of Hut Bay Village.

According to police and local disaster control room in South Andaman, there was no report of any damage or loss of property. The quake was felt in South Andaman region and some islands of Nicobar District but not in Middle and North Andaman.

''The quake was also felt in Car Nicobar but everything is normal,'' Assistant Commissioner of Car Nicobar island Ranjit Singh told UNI over phone.

However, rumours are spreading like bush fire in Andaman and Nicobar Islands regarding another tsunami and the district administration was trying its best to counter all rumours.

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