Fresh tremors jolt India, 62 dead so far

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 26

The northern and eastern parts of India felt fresh tremors of an aftershock, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, which jolted Nepal today even as the death toll in the country after Saturday’s powerful quake rose to 62.

Majority of deaths in India have been reported from Bihar (46) and Uttar Pradesh (13) — two states bordering the Himalayan nation. Home Secretary LC Goyal said two people had died in Bengal and one in Rajasthan. As many as 259 people have been injured so far — Bihar (156), UP (43), Bengal (52) and Rajasthan (8).

The Centre has deployed four NDRF teams in Bihar and one in UP. The compensation for those killed has been raised to Rs 6 lakh — Rs 4 lakh from the National Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund. The aftershock that rocked the National Capital and most parts of the northern and eastern India was followed by minor temblors. The one that struck around 12.39 pm was experienced all across — from West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand to Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi. No casualties or damage to property was reported but it kept people on the edge, while forcing the authorities to take preemptive measures. Metro rail services in Delhi and Kolkata were suspended for a short while.

Today’s earthquake was in a series of aftershocks that have been hammering Nepal and northern India for the past 24 hours. 

More than 40 aftershocks, almost all measuring more than 4 on the Richter scale, have been reported since yesterday. However, the one that struck at 12.39 pm was the strongest. 

The US Geological Survey measured the tremor at 6.7 on the Richter scale, while the Indian Meteorological Department scaled it at 6.9. The last aftershock  was reported at 9.56 pm, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was also centered in Nepal, about 17 km south of Kodari — around the same region which has been witnessing a spate of aftershocks since Saturday.