Mild tremors were experienced in several cities of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday after a strong earthquake measuring 7.3 on Richter scale epicentered in Nepal shook several states in North and East India.
However, no loss of human life or damage to property was reported in the state.
“Low intensity tremors were felt in Ambikapur, Jashpur, Korba, Bilaspur and in some parts of Raipur at around 12.35 PM,” meteorologist M Gopal Rao, at Raipur Meteorological Centre, told PTI .
“We have roughly calculated the intensity of the tremor which is varying between 3.5 to 4 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was epicentered in Nepal...,” Rao said.
The aftershocks may be felt during next 24 to 48 hours in several parts of the state due to the quake, he said.
The tremors triggered panic in the affected region following which people moved out of their offices and multi-storey buildings.
Meanwhile, the state revenue and disaster management department said no loss of life or property has been reported due to the quake.
“I have spoken to collectors of districts in northern part of the state. A mild tremor was felt at various places there, but there are no reports about any damage to property, or casualties,” Revenue and Disaster Management department Secretary K R Pisda told PTI .
The district collectors have been instructed to carefully monitor the situation and take complete information in this regard, he said.
The quake measuring 7.3 on Richter scale struck at 12.35 pm, some 70 km east of Kathmandu at a depth of 18.5 km, Indian Meteorological Department said, adding three aftershocks of 6.2, 5.4, and 4.8 followed the quake.
The Home Ministry said there was also a near simultaneous earthquake epicentered in Afghanistan which measured 6.9 on Richter scale.
