5.5 magnitude aftershock in Nepal, minor tremors felt in several parts of India

Kathmandu, May 16: Moderate tremors felt once again in Nepal and several parts of India including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on Saturday. Earthquake was also felt in north Bengal and Sikkim.

Reportedly, the earthquake of magnitude 5.7 on Richter scale hit at 5: 05 pm.

According to the Gopinath Raha, Indian Meterological Department in-charge, Sikkim quake originated in Nepal at a depth of 10 km. He further said that tremors lasted for 10.5 seconds. There are no reports of any damage or casualty from anywhere in the region.

Following the aftershock, thousands of people came out in the streets fearing house collapses and damage.

In Bihar

The temblor was experienced in Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Kisanganj, East Champaran, Lakhisarai, Munger and many other parts of the state. Citizens rushed out of their houses in fear with the May 12 temblors fresh in their minds. At 9.09 am, a temblor measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was experienced.

Referring to the evening quake, Director State Meteorological department A K Sen said an aftershock of this magnitude is generally not seen three days after a high intensity one like the one that took place on May 12.

"An aftershock of 5.7 intensity after three days of high intensity earthquake on May 12 measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale is rare in weather science," Sen said. Generally, aftershocks after a high intensity tremor like that of May 12 are not more than 4. A total 21 people had lost lives in the May 12 earthquake which was of of 7.3 intensity, while 58 people had died in Bihar due to the devastating temblor on April 25.

Bengal

Several areas in West Bengal, including capital Kolkata, experienced tremors of moderate intensity on Saturday, triggering panic among people.

The tremors which affected Bengal, triggered fresh panic among residents in Siliguri, Malda and elsewhere in north Bengal besides Kolkata.

The aftershocks come weeks after the devastating April 25 quake in the Himalayan nation.

The death toll due to the April 25 killer quake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale, was 8,384.

While the country was barely recovering from the loss, a temblor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit Nepal on Tuesday, with its epicentre not far from Mount Everest -- the world's highest peak at 8,848 metres. This left at least 117 dead.

OneIndia News

(with inputs from agency)