January 8, 2016
While India has seen several major earthquakes in the recent past, the most recent being the one in Manipur, there could be more to come, say experts in the home ministry.
January 8, 2016
While India has seen several major earthquakes in the recent past, the most recent being the one in Manipur, there could be more to come, say experts in the home ministry.
An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit the northeastern Indian state of Manipur in the early hours of Jan. 4, 2016. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake originated 34 miles (55 km) underground in the Tamenglong district, 18 miles (29 km) from the state capital, Imphal. Tremors were felt in adjoining Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and parts of eastern India. Reports claim that at least four people have been killed, and hundreds more injured. Rescue and relief operations are in progress in the affected areas.
The experts have warned of bigger earthquakes, measuring 8.2 or more on the Richter scale, in the Himalayan region, according to a report in The Times of India.
The Manipur earthquake, in which eight persons have been killed till now, was measured 6.7 on the Richter scale. The quake was also felt in nearby regions including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, as well as Myanmar and Bhutan.
The north-eastern part of India is located in a 'very severe intensity zone' and experienced 18 earthquakes measuring more than 7 on the Richter Scale in the last century, according to a report in The Indian Express. An earthquake in the region in the year 1950 had in fact changed the course of the river Brahmaputra.
A series of quakes which have hit the Himalayan region have affected the geological plates, due to which the future of more such disasters has been expressed, according to a report in The New Indian Express. The adverse impact might be felt all over the region of north India, according to the report.
