People in the national capital were in for a rude shock post lunch as massive tremors measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale jolted Delhi.
This occurred at 2.40pm on Monday hitting the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, affecting several parts of North India, sending people rushing out of homes and office buildings.
The US Geological Survey (UGS) put the magnitude of the quake at 7.7, almost the same as the massive temblor that hit Nepal in April.
Meanwhile, a senior metro official said that metro services have resumed although trains are running at a very slow pace.
“Metro services were put on hold from 2.40 PM to 2.55 PM in view of the earthquake. Thereafter, train services were brought to normal routine after ensuring safety check of the structures,” the official said.
Phone lines are down in Srinagar due to the earthquake.
–Modi offers aid to earthquake hit Af-Pak–
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for an urgent assessment of the situation and he tweeted:
I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015
Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone's safety.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015
Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu asked rail staff to be vigilant, to do safety checks
Very strong earthquake.Hope all r ok.Asking all Rail staff to do proper safety checks, be vigilant, take care
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) October 26, 2015
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted:
Please stay calm & do not panic. Disaster management teams have been activated
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 26, 2015
Delhi government activated its disaster management teams soon after strong tremors jolted the national capital making people scurry for cover.
Two army personnel were injured when their bunker collapsed following tremors in Sopore, 55 kms from here, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The bunker collapsed inside Ganjoo house, where an army unit is camping, resulting in injuries to two soldiers, following which they were taken to the hospital, officials said.
The flyover at Jehangir Chowk in the heart of Srinagar also developed crack, forcing the authorities to suspend traffic over it, the officials said.
In Srinagar, residents said they saw the buildings “swinging”, remindig them of the devastating quake in 2005.
A vehicle was damaged at Rafiabad in Baramulla district when it got uprooted and fell on it.
However, there was no immediate report of any casualty in the incident, the officials said.
According to National Center for Seismology, a unit of Ministry of Earth Science, the epicentre of the earthquake was the Hindukush mountain range, known to be a high sesimic zone.
The earthquake occurred at the depth of 190 kms.