Mild quake in Junagadh, houses damaged

Junagadh, Gujarat, Nov 6 (UNI) A low intensity earthquake, measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, today struck Junagadh region of Gujarat in the early hours, damaging some houses in at least eight villages.

According to the Met department, the quake was recorded at 0558 hrs and epicentred at a latitude 21.2 degrees North and longitude 70.5 degrees East.

''After the first quake of 4.8 intensity, there have been more than 20 mild aftershocks between 0611 hrs and 1345 hrs. Though no loss of life was reported, damage to property has been reported from Talala taluka, where cracks have appeared in houses,'' a senior official from disaster management department of Junagadh Collectorate told UNI.

''Walls of 30 houses in eight villages of Talala taluka developed cracks. The affected villages include Hiranwel, Moruka, Surawa, Rasulpara, Jalpar, Akolwadi, Sasan and Bhalchchel,'' said the official.

''That apart, villages of Visavadar, Maliya-Hariya, Mevarada, Keshodh and Veraval also experienced aftershocks,'' the official said.

Meanwhile, the official informed that a team of seismologists from Pune is expected to arrive in Junagadh district.

UNI