NDRF teams rush to NE after quake, HM takes stock

National Disaster Response Force teams have been rushed to earthquake hit areas of North-east early on Monday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here as he took stock of the situation.

The Home Ministry is actively monitoring the situation after the earthquake in the North-eastern region. NDRF teams, including from Guwahati, have rushed to the affected areas, he said.

Singh was in Guwahati last night as part of his two-day trip to Assam and experienced the quake.

The Home Minister briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone about the situation and the steps taken for rescue and relief.

The Prime Minister said in a tweet that he has asked Singh to oversee the situation arising out of the quake. Singh also spoke to Chief Ministers of the region and took stock of the situation in each state. A Home Ministry spokesperson said that the National Crisis Management Committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, is holding a meeting to review the situation.

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Northeastern region early on Monday with its epicenter at Tamenlong in Manipur.  The Centre will provide all necessary help and support to Manipur and other affected states in view of the massive earthquake that struck the region, the Union Home minister said.

“As I am in Guwahati now, the Prime Minister called me at around 6 AM and asked me talk with all the northeastern Chief Minister to take stock of the situation. The Centre will provide all that is needed for relief and rehabilitation,” Singh told reporters here.

The Minister said he has spoken to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who will reach Imphal from Arunachal Pradesh to monitor the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on twitter that he has spoken to Chief Ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.