Two Back-to-Back Earthquakes Strike Manipur Districts with No Casualties Reported
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On March 5, two earthquakes shook Manipur, including a 5.7 magnitude quake. No casualties or property damage have been reported. The region, known for its seismic activity, continues to face concerns regarding earthquake preparedness.
Key Takeaways
- Two earthquakes struck Manipur, one of magnitude 5.7.
- No casualties or damage reported from the quakes.
- Seismic activity is common in northeastern India.
- Authorities are promoting quake-proof construction.
- Historical earthquakes have caused significant damage in the region.
Imphal, March 5 (NationPress) Two successive earthquakes, one registering a magnitude of 5.7, rattled numerous districts in Manipur and nearby northeastern states, as reported by officials.
As per the Disaster Management authorities, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities or property damage resulting from these two quakes. The moderate tremor of 5.7 struck the mountainous Kamjong district in eastern Manipur, bordering Ukhrul, Tengnoupal, Imphal East, and Imphal West districts, and adjacent to Myanmar.
The tremor, occurring at a depth of 110 km below the surface, was also felt in neighboring Assam, Meghalaya, and other regions of the northeastern area, according to officials.
An additional, milder quake measured 4.1 on the Richter scale and also struck the same Kamjong district on Wednesday afternoon, as reported by officials. Data from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) indicated that this tremor occurred at a depth of 66 km.
Wednesday's tremors mark the third earthquake to impact the mountainous northeastern region within just four days. On March 2, a mild quake measuring 3.7 rattled the mountainous Mamit district and surrounding areas in western Mizoram. Additionally, on February 27, a moderate earthquake of 5 struck the Morigaon district of Assam. These tremors were felt in Guwahati and other parts of the state. Earthquakes are relatively common in this region, which comprises eight states and is classified as the sixth most earthquake-prone area.
Analysis of NCS data reveals that northeastern states experience over one quake weekly, with most measuring between 3 and 4 on the Richter scale. The frequency of consecutive earthquakes, predominantly mild to moderate, in the mountainous northeastern states—especially Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya—has raised concerns among authorities and prompted both public and private builders to construct quake-proof structures.
In 1950, an earthquake of 8.7 on the Richter scale changed the course of the Brahmaputra river, which flows by Guwahati, the main commercial hub of the northeastern region.
Another quake of 6.5 magnitude struck northeastern India in 1988, resulting in over 200 fatalities across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The 2011 earthquake, measuring 6.9, affected Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, claiming more than 100 lives. A further quake in 2017, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck 20 km northeast of Ambassa in Tripura's Dhalai district. Disaster Management authorities are actively conducting awareness campaigns regarding the frequent earthquakes in the northeastern states.
