5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Uttarakhand

A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5(point)8 on Richter scale hit Uttarakhand last night, with tremors also felt in Delhi and other parts of northern India. Operations head at National Seismological Bureau JL Gautam said, the epicentre of the quake was Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. He said the depth of the quake was 33 km and it occurred at 10:33 PM. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that one person injured when a house partially collapsed. He said, all departments in the state have been put on high alert. 

Tremors were also felt across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Noida In Uttar Pradesh after which many people rushed out of their homes. In Haryana, tremors were felt at many places including Gurugram, Faridabad, Rohtak, Ambala, Panchkula, Sonepat, Panipat and Karnal. In Punjab, tremors were felt at places like Mohali, Patiala, Ropar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation after the earthquake. In a tweet, Mr Modi said Prime Miister's Office is in touch with officials in Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister also prayed for everyone's safety and



wellbeing.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a detailed report on the earthquake. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on high alert to carry out relief operation and help victim in case the need arises. In a tweet, Mr Singh said Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Uttarakhand and other north Indian states. He said NDRF teams have been rushed from Ghaziabad to Uttarakhand to conduct rescue and relief operations, if the situation arises. NDRF Director General RK Pachnanda said two NDRF teams, comprising about 90 personnel, have been rushed to Rudraprayag from their base in Ghaziabad. 

He said preliminary reports received from the Uttarakhand government have not indicated any major damage but as a contingency measure, the relief and rescue teams are being mobilised. Mr Pachnanda said, one more team has been put on standby and will be dispatched depending on the situation.