Earthquake injures 20 in Assam, buildings develop cracks

GUWAHATI: At least 20 people have been injured in Assam in the massive earthquake that hit the northeastern region this morning with scores of buildings developing cracks across the state.

"We have so far received reports of minor injuries to 20 people in Guwahati and other areas due to the earthquake. Either some goods fell on them or they were probably injured while rushing out of home. Detail reports are awaited," Assam Commissioner and Secretary (Disaster Management) Pramod Kumar Tiwari told PTI here.

All the injured are being treated and they are out of danger, he added.

Kamrup Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner M Angamuthu said at least 15 people were injured in Guwahati city and all are being treated.

"Most of them were injured while running out of home. They are out of danger. We have also received reports of at least 30 buildings developing cracks. This number will go up," he added.

Tiwari said there are reports coming in of cracks in many buildings across the state due to the earthquake, but no major damage in those so far.

He said the official residence of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cachar district, which is near the epicentre at Tamenglong in Manipur, was damaged.

The Fire Station building in Cachar along with many other installations in the district also developed cracks, he added.

One library building in Lakhimpur district has been damaged, Tiwari said.

"In Guwahati also, many buildings have been reported to be cracked in the earthquake. We are examining the claims of the people. The exact report of damage will be known after some time," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his official twitter account said that NDRF team has been instructed to move from Guwahati to the areas affected by the earthquake.

A major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter Scale rocked Eastern and North-Eastern parts of India early today, the Indian Meteorological Department said.

The quake occurred at 4.35 AM at a depth of 17 km below the ground and the epicentre is located at Tamenglong of Manipur.