Strong tremors left large cracks in several buildings and walls across these states. Images shared on social media, however, show extensive damage to several homes, shops, and other buildings in Imphal. Seven persons were killed, while about 70 persons sustained injuries.
Advertisement
Quick rescue operations were started in the area by the Manipur administration with the help of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. “Surely, many of us would have died had it struck during business hours”, one of them, Memba Devi, said. However, one Soma Devi (37) fractured her left leg and arm when she fell down a flight of steps while carrying her daughter to safety during the tremor felt on Monday morning.
One 23-year-old Bangladeshi man died after suffering a stroke when he ran out of his house, while two other people died of heart attacks, the police said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also experienced the quake as he is now in Guwahati. Health Minister J P Nadda tweeted: “Union Health Ministry in touch with northeastern states affected by quake, all necessary support being provided”.
Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha convened a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) Monday to review the situation.
Monday’s temblor at 4.35 a.m. on Monday had its epicentre in Tamenglong district.
It said the pre-dawn quake killed six people in India and five in neighbouring Bangladesh, while shockwaves were felt in the Himalayan nation of Nepal and as far away as the Myanmar city of Yangon, about 1,175 km (730 miles) to the south. The U.S. Geological Survey said the depth was 55 kilometers (about 34 miles).
In its initial impact assessment, USGS said “some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localised”.
He said the state capital of Imphal was hit hard, but did not give any details.
Officials said at least 30 buildings have developed cracks.
MHA is continuously monitoring the situation in coordination with state governments.
Advertisement
Authorities in India’s Manipur state where the quake was centered said another 70 people had been injured by the quake, which damaged buildings in capital Imphal.
