A strong 6.7 magnitude natural disaster struck northeast India near the country’s borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh early Monday, sending people fleeing into the streets with dozens injured in the panic.
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The tremors were also felt in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
Imphal resident Deepak Shijagurumayum added: “Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds”. In order to assess the safety of partially-damaged public buildings and advise the state government on issues related to fix and retrofitting of these buildings, NDMA is deploying a team of experts.
Meanwhile Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Jitender Singh has said casualties could rise.
Two other victims were from Imphal East district.
Of the injured 33 were in serious condition and admitted to different hospitals in Manipur, including the state-run Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). Of the three, one had an injury to the nose, one to the head and the third suffered trauma.
ITANAGAR: The tremor was also felt in entire Arunachal Pradesh at 4.35 am.
While seven people, including an 11-year-old girl, were killed in Manipur’s Imphal West district, one man died in Bihar’s Kishanganj district.
“He had instructed Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is visiting the region, to monitor the relief work”, he said.
In addition, one team be sent to Silchar, Assam. Cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha chaired the review meeting while Manipur chief secretary participated in it through video conferencing.
“I thought the house would collapse”, Imphal resident Yurreipem Arthur told AFP by phone from the city, capital of Manipur state.
Besides Army, IAF and NDRF, the Assam Rifles was also engaged in relief operations, the state officials said. He assured them all possible help.
He said several of them were injured when they jumped from upper floors of buildings.
The Northeast Frontier Railway suspended train movement for two hours immediately after the quake.
People rushed out of their homes before dawn on Monday morning as the tremor knocked over furniture and caused books to fall from their shelves, according to the Associated Press.
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“Many people were seen coming out of their homes in panic”, said local resident Rabin Dev. The damage was limited as the region is dotted with small houses with few tall buildings.
