8 killed, over 90 injured as strong earthquake measuring 6.7 hits Northeast India

Imphal/Guwahati: At least eight people were killed and over 90 injured as a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake epicentred in Manipur hit the northeastern region on Monday, causing damage to buildings and triggering panic.

Manipur bore the brunt of the temblor which struck at 4.35 AM, jolting the people out of their sleep. Many buildings collapsed or developed cracks in Tamenglong, where the earthquake was epicetred at a depth of 17 km.

Pointing out that epicenter of the earthquake was in Noney town in Tamenglong district, the authorities at Imphal said that more than 80 injured have been admitted in various hospitals including Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and some private hospitals including Shija hospital and Raj Polyclinic.

Among those killed included a 17-year old girl Phaigamaton Devi who died in Jiribam, 37-year old M Sarat from Imphal West who died in hospital from spinal injuries, a 50 year old man Ibotombi Singh from Patsoi in Imphal West and an entire family – four members of a Nepali family who had been living close to the Indian Army headquarters in Manipur at Leimakhong.

Apart from Tamenglong district, the epicentre of the quake, a large number of injuries was reported from Churachandpur district in Manipur. In the capital city Imphal scores of buildings and homes developed cracks and several walls collapsed under the impact of the tremor.

The authorities said that an under construction building in Dewlahland collapsed soon after the earthquake hit but no one was injured in the collapse.

Meanwhile, union minister of state home Kiren Rijiju arrived Imphal and reviewed the relief and rescue operations with Manipur chief minister. Mr Rijiju who has been sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the state administration in carrying out rescue operation told reporters that central government was prepared to extend all necessary help to the state.

The union home minister Mr Rajnath Singh who was in Guwahati spoke to chief ministers of northeastern states and rushed team of National Disaster Response Force to earthquake-hit areas of northeastern states particularly to worst affected Manipur.

The Army and Air Force have also started working on relief and rescue operations in quake—hit Manipur.

An AN32 plane of Air Force took off to Imphal from Guwahati with 75 NDRF personnel for relief and rescue operations.

A C17 Globemaster and IL76 plane had been kept on standby at the Hindon airbase to respond to any further relief operations as and when needed.

Army units in Manipur have already started providing necessary medical assistance to the injured, officials said.

The union home minister further said that ministry of home affairs was actively monitoring the situation after the earthquake in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Assam, and asked him to oversee the situation arising due to the earthquake.

The PM also spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other chief ministers in the region to take stock of the situation.

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said that they were trying to assess the extent of the damage. "The Prime Minister and Home Minister have assured all possible help," he said.

"MHA is actively monitoring the situation after the earthquake in the North East region," Rajnath Singh said.

Army units in Manipur were providing all necessary medical assistance to the injured, defence officials said. C17 Globemaster & IL76 plane had been kept on standby at the Hindon airbase to respond to any further relief operations as and when needed.

An NDRF team is being sent to Silchar, Assam. A team of engineers from Power Grid Corporation will be sent to Imphal to assist the state government in restoration of power. A special team of doctors from Delhi including orthopedics, will be sent to Imphal.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters in Guwahati that the Centre will provide all necessary help and support to Manipur and other affected states.

Singh said he has spoken to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who will reach Impahal from Arunachal Pradesh to monitor the situation.

People ran out of their homes looking for safe places in Mizoram capital Aizwal and the quake was also felt in other parts of the state. Lalchuailova, a resident of Aizawl, said that it was the strongest earthquake he had ever experienced during his 50 years.

A 14-year-old boy was injured in Mizoram while trying to find a safe place during the earthquake. He was rushed to the Emergency department of the Aizawl Civil Hospital where he was discharged after being treated, hospital officials said.

Nagaland State Disaster Management Agency said that strong tremors were felt across the state, but there were no reports of any damage.

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 A report from Agartala said the tremor was felt across Tripura today, but there was no report of any casualty or damage to property so far, Programme officer of the state disaster management, Sarat Das said.

Earthquake was also felt in several parts of Jharkhand with people rushing out from homes in Dumka. People in Ranchi, Giridih, Chatra, Lohardaga districts also experienced mild tremors, officials said.

According to the Regional Seismological Centre, the earthquake is one of the biggest in recent times and was felt in the entire north-east region.

The NDMA earlier said it was co-ordinating with the state governments, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, NDRF, Ministry of Telecom and other concerned Government departments and agencies for search & rescue and relief.

NDMA spoke to the control room/relief commissioners of all the states in the North-East- Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland as well as West Bengal All states in the north-east are categorized under zone V in the country's Seismological map and considered to be highly vulnerable.

The NCMC meeting was attended by Secretary (Power), Secretary (Telecom), Member, NDMA and DG (Indian Meteorological Department).

The representatives of Ministries Home and Defence also participated in the meeting. Chief Secretary, Manipur participated through the video link.