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Guwahati/Shillong/Jalpaiguri:Seven back- to-back earthquakes jolted Assam and some other northeastern states on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to buildings and forcing people to scamper out of their homes.
The first of the shocks of 6.4 magnitude with its epicentre at 43 km west of Tezpur, the district headquarters of Sonitpur district in Assam, was felt at 7.51 am, Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Deputy Director Sanjay O’neil Shaw said.
The effect was felt in almost the entire Northeastern region and even parts of West Bengal.
It was followed in quick succession by lesser intensity tremors of 4.7, 4, and two 3.6 magnitudes at 8.03 am, 8.13 am, 8.25 am and 8.44 am.
Another earthquake of 3.2 magnitude hit the state’s Nagaon district at 10.05 am. A while later, another jolt of 3.4 magnitude hit Tezpur at 10.39 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and enquired about the damage caused by the quakes.
“Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal Ji regarding the earthquake in parts of the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the well-being of the people of Assam,” he tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Sonowal and assured him that the Centre stands firmly with the people of Assam.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “To my sisters and brothers in Assam who are now dealing with the double blow of an earthquake and the rampaging second wave of COVID, I send you my love and prayers.”
Sonowal urged everyone to stay alert and said that he is taking updates from all the districts.
Tremors were felt in the entire region, including neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and northern parts of West Bengal.
People ran out of their homes and other places in panic, obliterating social distancing and other COVID guidelines amid a raging pandemic. No casualty was reported, but many people suffered minor injuries while running out in panic as the first quake struck.
There were reports of widespread damage to buildings and other structures from across Assam, mostly in the central and western towns of Tezpur, Nagaon, Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Dhekiajuli and Morigaon.
In Guwahati, the chief minister’s block at the ‘Janata Bhawan’ complex, the state secretariat, witnessed some damages, sources said.
The luxury Taj Vivanta in Guwahati also witnessed massive damages with several glass panes, ceilings and walls falling apart, but there was no injury to any employees or guests, hotel spokesperson Indranee Phukan told PTI.
Healthcare facilities such as Dispur Hospital, Apollo Clinic, Down Town Hospital and Excelcare Hospital also saw damages, hampering services amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.
A multi-storied building in Nagaon tilted on the adjacent structure, triggering panic.
Dozens of homes, apartment buildings and shopping malls across the state also developed cracks. Many vehicles were damaged after concrete blocks fell on them due to the jolts.
Dhekiajuli MLA Ashok Singhal tweeted pictures of land developing cracks and water seeping out of them, though these could not be immediately verified.
In Shillong, the tremor woke up people and many ran outside their homes in panic.
Although there was no immediate report of any damage caused in Meghalaya, the tremor was one of the strongest in the last few years, an official said.
The last one of such intensity was in March-April 2016, he said.
Strong tremors were also felt across Arunachal Pradesh. A few buildings developed cracks in state capital Itanagar, and the East Kemeng district, officials said.
“An earthquake hit this morning in Assam & tremors felt in Arunachal & NE. My prayers for everyone’s safety. May all uensure their safety and of their loved ones. Thanks to PM @narendramodi Ji, HM @AmitShah Ji and @DrJitendraSingh Ji for promptly responding to the situation,” Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted.
In West Bengal, strong tremors were felt in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Coochbehar and parts of Darjeeling district but no major damage was reported, local authorities said.
Also read: Three patients die in fire at private hospital in Thane
Earthquake jolts felt in Rohtak district of Haryana in the evening of 27 April 2021 followed by a massive one having 6.4 magnitude in early morning of 28 April in Assam with jolts in north Bengal and Bihar as well.
According to news reports, jolts of a low 3 magnitude at the ritcher scale earthquake were felt in Rohtak’s Haryana district at 7:10pm on 27 April 2021. The epicenter was said to be in Rohtak. No damage has been reported. It was followed by another news of quake on 28 April 2021, having 6.4 magnitude on ritcher scale in Assam jolting north Bengal and Bihar. While extent of damage or casualty, if any, in Assam is being ascertained, it looks some damage may have been caused. In this context, it may be apt to refresh readers with this Vedic astrology writer’s predictive alert in article, as follows, published at english.nirpakhawaaz.in on 3 April, 2021.
“ Major worrisome concerns in India during a period of nearly two months from about 7 April to 31 May 2021, calling for more care and appropriate strategy. Such strategy may have to be continued as long as 10 August 2021 in some form or the other”.
“(2). Likely earthquake jolts appear to be taking place in vulnerable locations. These can be having low or medium magnitude but massive potency cannot be ruled out completely particularly in northern States plus Gujarat -Maharashtra mentioned in this article.
(10). While the entire period of nearly two months from about 7 April to 31 May in present year 2021 looks to be loaded with major worries, such dates in April, 2021 as 7, 15 to 19, 25 to 29 may likely be closely related in relation to one or more or most of aforesaid predictive alerts brought out in (1) to (11) here in this article. Similarly, such dates as 3 to 4 , 13 to 16 ( 15 and 16 look to be having more strength of causing huge worry), 24 to 27 ( 26 and 27 being stronger) , and 30 to 31 in the month of May , 2021 appear to be major worrisome.
(11). Northern India, particularly Delhi and some parts of neighboring States closely located near Delhi, Bihar ………………… may be called upon to keep a note of one or more or most predictive alerts in view for more care and appropriate strategy”.
It may be observed here from the details of alert that 25 to 29 April, 2021 dates were predicted as likely in relation to earthquake jolts in parts of States located near Delhi, Bihar etc. In this light, it can be said that predictive alert has been meaningful.
Link to reach the predictive article published on 3 April 2021:-
http://english.nirpakhawaaz.in/2021/04/03/major-worrisome-concerns-in-india-during-a-period-of-nearly-two-months-from-about-7-april-to-31-may/