Nepal earthquake upgraded to 7.9 on Richter scale, Modi calls for emergency meet

Tremors were felt across north and eastern India as an earthquake with a revised magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale took place with its epicentre in Nepal. Initial reports from Nepal said several buildings were damaged and people were being rushed to hospitals. [caption id=“attachment_2212568” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] In India, the tremors were felt in parts of Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Ranchi, Rajasthan and Assam, according to TV reports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for an emergency meeting at 3 pm this afternoon and has spoken to the President of Nepal as well as the CMs of Bihar and Assam. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said all forces are on the ground and information is being collected from all the districts. According to PTI, the tremors in Delhi and the NCR region lasted for a full minute and began at 11.44 am. The epicentre of the quake was 83 km north-west of Kathmandu, Nepal, according to ANI. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the magnitude was 7.5.

PM  Modi also tweeted about the earthquake, saying the government was in the process of find out more information.

As a result of the earthquake, a stampede reportedly took place in Kutchery, Varanasi, reported ANI.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was taking stock of the situation and talking to the state administration after the earthquake took place.

DG of Meteorological Department LS Rathore also said that aftershocks of 6.6 magnitude were felt following the initla tremors. MET Director GL Gautam called the earthquake a “massive earthquake”. The Delhi Metro services in the national capital were temporarily suspended, according to reports. Mobile services in Patna were also affected. No casualties or damages have been reported in India so far. Further details are awaited. However, the US Geological Survey says it expects heavy damage in Nepal. Tremors were also felt in Pakistan. Mohammad Shahab, a resident from Lahore, Pakistan, says he was sitting in his office when the earthquake rocked the city. He says the tremors continued for a while but now the situation is normal in the city. (With agency inputs)