At least sixteen people were killed and many injured when an earthquake rocked Bihar on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appealed to the people to remain calm and not get panicky.
“I have asked officials to remain vigilant and reach out to those affected,” Mr. Kumar told presspersons. He called a meeting of the crisis management group and took stock of the situation. The government ordered closure of schools in Patna from Wednesday for the summer vacation.
Reports of deaths have come in from Patna, Darbhanga, Siwan, Samastipur, Madhepura and Kishanganj districts. At least three persons — one each from Patna, Madhepura and Kishanganj — reportedly died of a heart attack.
Reminiscent of April 25
The scene was reminiscent of April 25 when a strong earthquake hit Bihar, along with Nepal, almost at the same time. People rushed out of their houses and spent sleepless nights in parks and open spaces. People felt at least three strong tremors within an hour in Patna.
“It was the same feeling that we had experienced a fortnight ago. Even before we could recover from the first shock at 12.38 p.m., a second tremor hit us at 1.09 p.m. It was very scary ... not sure what will happen next,” Anita Devi, a homemaker, told The Hindu.
Many terrified residents said they would prefer to spend “sleepless nights” in parks or on open spaces such as Gandhi Maidan. “At least we will be safe with family outside the apartment,” Ajay Kumar, a medical representative, said.
Mr. Kumar asked officials to arrange tents, water and security for those spending nights in open spaces.
