Dehra Dun, July 23
A moderate intensity earthquake shook parts of north India early this morning. Measuring five on the Richter scale, the quake was followed by four minor aftershocks, Met Department officials said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri told mediapersons that no loss of life or property had been reported. Two houses in Ranachatti village, near Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district, had been partially damaged. However, he directed all the Disaster Management Units in each district to be prepared for any natural calamity.
Meteorological Department
director Dehra Dun Anand Sharma said the epicentre of the earthquake, whose tremors were recorded between 4.32 am and 4.43 am, lay between 31.2 and 78.2 degrees latitude at Himati Thatch on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in Uttarkashi district. It was reported to be 10 km below the earths’ surface.
Notably, tremors were felt a few days after Geological Survey of India warned in a report that more than 60 per cent of the structures in the state, which is seismically prone, were vulnerable in case of a quake.
Around 700 persons were killed in a devastating earthquake that hit Uttarkashi district in 1991. Another quake in Chamoli district had claimed 100 lives in 1999.
A report from Delhi said tremors were felt at many places in Uttarakhand and also parts of Himachal, including Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahual and Spiti districts, besides Delhi and the adjoining region. Mild shocks were also felt in Meerut and the Hardwar region.
Tremors continued for about 20 to 25 seconds. However, according to preliminary information received here, no loss of life and property has been reported from anywhere. Mild tremors were also experienced at Tehri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Mussoorie, Nainital and Dehra Dun.
