Earthquake hits India, devastates Nepal; A huge 7.9 magnitude temblor kills 110

Late Saturday morning turned tragic across north India and more so in neighbouring Nepal when a high intensity earthquake wreaked havoc causing major loss of life and property across a vast stretch of the region today – intensity of earthquake was a mammoth 7.9 on Richter scale. Huge tremors also rocked the Delhi-NCR twice over, for second time at 12.17 pm, sending people rushing out of their buildings in panic – in a natural quirk of sorts, residents of Dwarka in Delhi did not feel a thing as is vouchsafed by their replies.

In a warning of sorts of the earthquake, reports say Sikkim has been feeling tremors for the last three days.

The shallow earthquake, which struck west of the ancient Nepali capital of Kathmandu, killed more than 110 people, injuring hundreds and leaving a pall over the valley, doctors and witnesses said. This is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished Himalayan nation in 81 years.

In his initial reaction, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there was no preliminary report of damage anywhere in India due to quake.

Shockingly, there were as many as 14 aftershocks that hit these areas. The severity of the earthquake can be gauged from the fact that even the 13th aftershock was of very high intensity of above 6.6 on Richter scale.

It was no wonder then that the effects of the quake in India have been felt as far down as Orissa.

The IMD said that the tremors second time round were measured at 6.6 on Richter scale. The epicenter was 77 km northwest of Kathmandu in Nepal. The second earthquake was of lower intensity than first one.

Kathmandu’s main civil hospital said 36 bodies had been counted so far after a 7.9 earthquake hit the impoverished Himalayan country of Nepal on Saturday.

Nepal’s Kantipur TV showed at least 21 bodies lined up on the ground The shallow quake struck west Kathmandu, causing buildings to collapse, injuring many and leaving a pall of dust over the city, witnesses said.

PM Narendra Modi called an emergency meeting at 3 pm to review the situation occurred due to earthquake.

One person was killed in a wall collapse even as several multi-storyed buildings developed cracks when an earthquake shook West Bengal.

Reports also indicate some damage happening in Siliguri, where a few buildings have reportedly collapsed. CM Mamata Banerjee is reportedly keeping a close watch on what is happening there.

“We are monitoring situation closely in Bengal specially in Darjeeling/Siliguri. Spoke to Sr Disaster Management team & others,” Banerjee tweeted.

“My prayers with the people of Nepal and across India after the massive earthquake. Hope everyone is safe. Stay calm,” she said in the micro-blogging site.

The situation in Nepal appears more troubling as several news organisation reported massive destruction due to earthquake in Nepal.

At least 10 people were killed and heavy casualties feared as a strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck Nepal today bringing down a number of buildings including the centuries-old Dharhara tower in the heart of the capital trapping scores of people. The earthquake with epicentre at Lamjung, around 80 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu, and had its impact in several cities in Bihar and West Bengal and eastern India. A number of aftershocks were felt for a long time after the quake.

Reports suggest that UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Kathmandu Darbar Square’ is badly damaged due to the quake.

In Dwarka, residents Aruja and Jyotsna said they did not feel a thing and that it was only when kin started calling them that they found out what had happened.

According to a senior Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official, services were not suspended but were put on restricted mode by slowing the speed of the metro trains, causing a little delay in the services.

A powerful earthquake in Nepal on Saturday triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, climbers said, raising fears for those on the world’s highest peak a year after another avalanche caused the deadliest incident on the mountain. Romanian climber Alex Gavan said on Twitter that there had been a “huge avalanche” and “many, many” people were up on the mountain. “Running for life from my tent,” Gavan said. “Everest base camp huge earthquake then huge avalanche.” Another climber, Daniel Mazur, said Everest base camp had been “severely damaged” and his team was trapped. “Please pray for everyone,” he said on his Twitter page.

The north coastal Andhra Pradesh experienced mild tremors today after a powerful earthquake struck Nepal and parts of north and northeast India. However, no casualty or damage to property were reported.

According to Cyclone Warning Centre here, the tremors were felt for a few seconds in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts.

“It is a common phenomenon to experience tremors after an earthquake. However, there is no need to panic. No loss of life or property were reported,” the cyclone centre officials said.

A major earthquake rocked Sikkim today, triggering landslides in various parts of the state.

The quake, having its epicentre in Nepal, was felt at about 11:48 AM, officials said.

A series of minor landslides have been reported from various places in the state they said, but there was no report of any loss of life so far, they said.

Sikkim has been experiencing minor jolts continuously for the past three days, met department said.

Many pictures were posted online showing the extent of damage.