Quake rattles Kashmir; Fifth in a fortnight

Srinagar, Mar 6 (UNI) An earthquake of mild intensity rocked the city and adjoining areas early this morning, forcing people to rush out of their homes in panic.

This was the fifth temblor to hit the Valley since February 20.

The repeated quakes-- all of mild intensity-- have triggered rumours that a big tremor was going to rock Kashmir.

However, authorities have rejected these rumours, saying earthquakes cannot be predicted before hand despite advanced research under way on the subject.

A spokesman of the Indian Meteorological Department said tremors which occurred at 0427 hrs lasted few seconds.

He said the 3.9 magnitude earthquake was epicentred at 34.1 Latitude (North) and 74.6 Longitude (East).

People rushed out of their homes in panic despite bitter cold.

There was no report of any loss of life or damage to property, official sources said.

Mild intensity tremors-- between 2.9 and 4.1 on the Richter Scale-- hit Srinagar on February 20 and 25 while two temblors occurred on March 1.

Srinagar falls in Seismic Zone-V and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir fall in Seismic Zone IV.

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