6.4 earthquake hits Assam, tremors felt in Northeast, Bengal

Guwahati, Apr 28: Seven back- to-back earthquakes jolted Assam hit North East India on Wednesday, the National Centre for Seismology said. Strong tremors were felt in parts of the northeast and north Bengal as well. The epicenter of the quake was Sonitpur and the quake occurred at 7.51 am at a depth of 17 kilometres.

The first of the shocks of 6.4 magnitude with its epicentre at 43 km west of Tezpur, the district headquarters of Sonitpur district in Assam, was felt at 7.51 am. The epicenter of the quake was Sonitpur and the quake occurred at 7.51 am at a depth of 17 kilometres, it said.

It was followed in quick succession by lesser intensity tremors of 4.7, 4, and two 3.6 magnitudes at 8.03 am, 8.13 am, 8.25 am and 8.44 am.

Another earthquake of 3.2 magnitude hit the state's Nagaon district at 10.05 am. A while later, another jolt of 3.4 magnitude hit Tezpur at 10.39 am.

"Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts," Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke with CM Sonowal and assured him of help from Centre.

Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted photos of broken walls inside a building, showing the impact of the quake.

Videos and images flooded on social media showing the visual after-effects of the massive Earthquake in Assam.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Sonowal and assured him that the Centre stands firmly with the people of Assam.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, 'To my sisters and brothers in Assam who are now dealing with the double blow of an earthquake and the rampaging second wave of COVID, I send you my love and prayers.' Sonowal urged everyone to stay alert and said that he is taking updates from all the districts.

No casualty was reported, but many people suffered minor injuries while running out in panic as the first quake struck.

There were reports of widespread damage to buildings and other structures from across Assam, mostly in the central and western towns of Tezpur, Nagaon, Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Dhekiajuli and Morigaon.

Dozens of homes, apartment buildings and shopping malls across the state also developed cracks. Many vehicles were damaged after concrete blocks fell on them due to the jolts.

In Shillong, the tremor woke up people and many ran outside their homes in panic.

An earthquake hit this morning in Assam & tremors felt in Arunachal & NE. My prayers for everyone's safety. May all uensure their safety and of their loved ones. Thanks to PM @narendramodi Ji, HM @AmitShah Ji and @DrJitendraSingh Ji for promptly responding to the situation,' Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted.

In West Bengal, strong tremors were felt in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Coochbehar and parts of Darjeeling district but no major damage was reported, local authorities said.