Kejriwal appeals for calm, disaster management teams activated

The Delhi government on Monday activated its disaster management teams soon after strong tremors jolted the national Capital making people scurry for cover and bringing the metro to a halt.

“Please stay calm & do not panic. Disaster management teams have been activated,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukerjee have also expressed grief over the natural calamity and  have appealed to people to maintain calm.

The earthquake epicentred in the Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan struck at around 2.40 pm, sending ripples across several states like Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.

The PM and President have also condoled the loss of lives in the neighbouring countries of Paskistan and Afghanistan due to the earthquake.

Meanwhile, officials from 54 countries, who have gathered in the national Capital for the India-Africa Forum Summit that began on Monday, felt the strong tremors of the earthquake that jolted large parts of north India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But the meeting continued, officials said.

The meeting at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium was among the senior officials of the hosts India and the 54 African countries.

“The officials did feel the earthquake. But nothing really happened. The meeting is going on,” an official in India’s external affairs ministry said.