4.8-magnitude earthquake jolts state

Dehradun, September 29

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An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter Scale today hit Pithoragarh district and adjoining areas of Uttarakhand, bordering India-Nepal border, causing panic among the people who rushed out of their homes.

There is no report of any damage to life or property from the area.

People rushed out of their houses in panic as the tremor epicentered in a village in Pithoragarh district struck at around 3 pm, Pithoragarh District Disaster Management office said.

At a latitude of 29.7 degree north, a longitude of 80.3 degree east and a depth of 33 km, the tremors were mostly felt in Pithoragarh district and neighbouring areas on India-Nepal border, meteorological department said.

"The tremor, the centre of which was recorded at Baliyani village 12 km eastward from Kanalichima block headquarters was caused by activities of north Almora thrust and Munsiyari thrust along the fault line,"  Pithoragarh district disaster management officer RS Rana said.

"Such earthquakes of rupture nature, can break the dolomite, quartz and granitoid nature of rocks in Pithoragarh district.

"There should be construction of not more than 2-3 storey houses with anchored capacities at every level in the district as a precaution against such tremors," Rana said. — PTI