16 feared killed in Bihar as tremors rock North India

Six deaths have been confirmed. One person was killed in the neighboring Uttar Pradesh, even as tremors were felt Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Sikkim among others.

“We have information regarding the death of 15 people in incidents related to earthquake today. There is a confirmation of six deaths and for <g data-gr-id="41">rest</g> the confirmation process is on,” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.  

Kumar held a meeting with officials, shortly after seven temblors – first of 7.3 intensity, second of 6.2 magnitude and the remaining five of moderate magnitude – rocked Bihar during the day.

Two deaths have been reported from <g data-gr-id="40">Darbhanga,</g> while one each from Patna, Siwan, East 

Champaran and Samastipur. Kumar has ordered the closure of all schools in Bihar for summer vacation from Wednesday itself.

“The summer vacation is scheduled to start in schools in the next 2-3 days, so I have ordered to advance it and declare summer vacation from tomorrow itself in view of earthquake fear and possibility of more aftershocks,” he said. Kumar has also issued orders to open all parks and public places for people. Kumar said he has also ordered officials to make proper arrangements of water, electricity and security in open areas, particularly at night.

He ordered field officers to visit every village to assess the details of casualty due to successive tremors on Tuesday and provide assistance to people immediately.

Kumar said since Bihar is prone to earthquake, major parts of it fall in seismic zone 4 and 5. “An environment of fear is gripping people after today’s powerful aftershocks,” the Chief Minister said.

In Uttar Pradesh, one person was reportedly killed in Hamirpur district and two others were injured.

The tremors were felt twice in the state, forcing people to rush out of their offices and apartments and affecting communication and transportation services.

The powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale shook West Bengal, Delhi and several other parts of north India, less than three weeks after the region was struck by a devastating temblor.

“The quake measured 7.1 on Richter Scale with epicentre somewhere in Nepal,” an IMD official said. The quake also sent ripples through parts of Rajasthan, causing panic among people who rushed out in the open following it. Mild tremors were also experienced across Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. However, no loss of life or property was reported from these states. Tremors were also felt across Madhya Pradesh this afternoon, officials said. 

“The tremors of the two quakes were experienced in entire Madhya Pradesh at 12.35 pm and 1.06 pm respectively,” said Anupam <g data-gr-id="43">Kashyapi</g>, Director of the regional centre of IMD.