Guwahati: A massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude occurred in Assam today morning at 07:51:25 IST. Its impact was felt in many neighbouring states including Bihar and also Bangladesh. The tremor lasted about 30 seconds.
Eyewitnesses said many buildings developed cracks. Casualty, if any, was just was not yet ascertained. “In Guwahati we are safe though we find cracks in buildings,” said senior journalist Nava Thakuria.
The epicentre of the earthquake was at the Sonitpur region of Assam which is about 183 kilometre from Guwahati. The earthquake has been followed by after shocks – two of 4.3 and 4.4 magnitude with their epicentres located respectively at 30 km west of Tezpur and 39 km west south-west of Tezpur (later the India Meteorological Department revised both epicentres to Sonitpur); and therafter thereafter few more aftershocks each and with epicentre in Sonitpur (see the figure below).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the earthquake in parts of the state and assured all possible help from the Centre.
The entire north east region has been witnessing seismic activities for more than a year now with many many minor tremors occurring in the region frequently.
Following are the earthquake parameters as provided by the National Center for Seismology’s Guwahati office:
Magnitude: 6.4
Date: 28/04/2021
Time: 07:51:25 IST
Latitude: 26.69 N
Longitude: 92.36 E
Depth: 17 Km
Region: Sonitpur, Assam
– global bihari bureau
