Panic gripped Punjab, Chandigarh following quake rumours

Chandigarh, Mar 21 (UNI) Panic gripped the people following rumours of q possible earthquake in Punjab and Chandigarh late last night.

People rushed out of their homes and spent the night on roads, streets and parks after receiving telephone calls from their friends and relatives that a quake may could the region first around 0200 hrs and later at 0600 hrs.

Police said the rumours had originated from few areas in Punjab and soon spread to the entire state as the people made frantic calls to alert their relatives.

Rumours of an imminent earthquake also made rounds at Phagwara, Phillaur, Malerkotla, Jalandhar, Dhuri, Ahmedgarh, Ludhiana and Nakodar in Punjab where people left their houses during the night, a report from Phagwara said.

Panic also gripped the residents of Chandigarh and several people spent the night outside their homes in different sectors.

The Meterological department, however, denied making any prediction of an earthquake in the region. ''Scientifically, it is not possible to forecast the quake,' Met Director Chhatar Singh Malik said.

UNI