Assam hit by a 6.4 magnitude quake, no loss of life reported so far

On Wednesday morning, Assam and other areas of the Northeast were jolted by a strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale. In the hours after the first quake shook the area, seven aftershocks were reported.

The earthquake, which measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale, occurred in Sonitpur, Tezpur, Assam, according to the National Centre of Seismology. The first earthquake struck at 7:51 in the morning, 43 kilometres west of Tezpur in Assam, according to the seismology centre.

The earthquake was centred in Assam's Tezpur, but strong tremors were felt as far away as North Bengal and other regions of the Northeast. While the earthquake's epicentre is said to be near Dhekiajuli city, 140 kilometres (86 miles) north of Guwahati.

There have been no incidents of injuries, but images of demolished walls and windows, as well as cracks in the walls have surfaced.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 29 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.

Minutes after the earthquake, Assam Health Minister HimantaBiswaSarma tweeted images of shattered walls inside a building and a broken boundary wall, demonstrating the earthquake's effects.

Few early pictures of damage in Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/lTIGwBKIPV

— HimantaBiswaSarma (@himantabiswa) April 28, 2021

Assam’s Chief Minister informed about the earthquake in a Twitter post, "Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts."

Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts. #earthquake

— SarbanandaSonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) April 28, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he talked with Assam Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal and pledged assistance from the central government.

Modi took to his Twitter handle and tweeted, "Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal Ji regarding the earthquake in parts of the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the well-being of the people of Assam."

Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal Ji regarding the earthquake in parts of the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the well-being of the people of Assam.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2021

The earthquake follows an earthquake on April 6th with a magnitude of 2.7 that had struck Tinsukia, Assam. While another earthquake just weeks before of a magnitude 5.4 struck near Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

The Assamese Chief Minister took an assessment of the quake sites and hospitals to review the status quo of the region.

Visited the TarajanBangali village in Dhekiajuli, a site near the epicentre of the earthquake and took stock of the situation. The morning tremors have affected the village and neighbouring areas. We are with the people at all times. I urged everyone not to panic and stay alert. pic.twitter.com/CxmCFoidmN

— SarbanandaSonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) April 28, 2021