Powerful quake in North East

A powerful earthquake of 6.7 magnitude hit the northeastern region of the country early on Monday morning leaving seven people dead and more than 80 others injured including damages and cracks in many buildings in Imphal.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the epicentre of the quake was in Manipur. The quake took place at 4.35 AM at a depth of 17 km below the ground and the epicentre is located at Tamenglong district of Manipur.  MHA is continuously monitoring the situation in coordination with state governments. 7 deaths and 80 injuries have been reported from Manipur.  Damages to a few buildings, residential units and Government Offices have been reported, including damage to a six storey building in Imphal.  The Ministry of Home Affairs is coordinating with National Disaster Management Authority, the State Governments, Ministry of Defence, NDRF, Ministry of Telecom and other concerned Government departments and agencies for search & rescue and relief. Relief commissioners of all the states in the North-East Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland and the State of West Bengal are being contacted on regular basis. The Vice President Hamid Ansari has condoled the loss of life and property due to the earthquake in North-East India. In a message, Ansari said every effort should be made to render all possible aid to the injured and the bereaved families.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation in the Northeast due to the earthquake.  PM has directed Union Minister Dr Jitender singh to visit north east. Dr Jitender singh has reached manipur now. To discuss post-earthquake situation in Manipur & Northeast the Prime Minister spoke to Union home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Assam.  He asked Rajnath Singh to oversee the situation.  Meanwhile, NDRF team has been instructed to move from Guwahati to the areas affected by the earthquake. The region has a history of powerful earthquakes caused by the northward collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. They are moving towards each other at a rate of 4-5cm per year. Two teams of NDRF teams have reached to Imphal for immediately relief.  In addition, one team be sent to Silchar, Assam. The decisions were taken during the National Crisis Management Committee meet chaired by cabinet secretary PK Sinha.  So far, there are 073 casualties and 43 persons have been injured. Centre has assured of all necessary help for quick rescue, relief and restoration work.  After Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister spoke to him, the Manipur Chief Minister said that the centre has assured all possible help to him for the quake hit state. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Assam Chief Minister and Manipur Chief Secretary on the situation arising due to the earthquake. He assured them all possible help. Meanwhile Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Jitender Singh has said casualties could rise.