Massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude shakes Assam
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A part of wall seen collapsed due to the earthquake in Assam
Guwahati: A massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitudes hit Assam on Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage in the Northeast state.
No reports available so far on human casualties but images had shown broken walls and windows, and walls developing cracks.
According to the NDTV report, three back-to-back earthquakes hit Assam, the strongest being of 6.4 magnitudes. It was followed by two more jerks of 4.3 and 4.4 magnitudes at 7.58 am and 8.01 am, respectively. Tremors were felt in Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland and north Bengal.
Strong tremors were repeatedly felt in several parts of the northeast and neighbouring Bhutan, forcing people to run out of their homes, according to a Reuters witness.
The epicentre of the earthquake was near Dhekiajuli town, 140 km (86 miles) north of Guwahati. The earthquake struck at 7:51 am at a depth of 17 km from the surface.
"Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts," Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who tweeted minutes after the earthquake, also shared photos of broken walls inside a building and of a broken boundary wall, showing the impact of the quake.
The earthquake in Assam comes weeks after an earthquake of magnitude 5.4 struck near Sikkim's capital Gangtok.
The National Disaster Management Agency was assessing reports of destruction and casualties, if any, after the quake, said an official at the agency who asked to remain unidentified, Reuters reported.
