New Delhi: An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter sent tremors across northern India just past 10:33 pm.
The epicenter is near Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, 97 km from Uttarakhand state capital Dehradun. Scientists said the quake was shallow, occurring at a depth of just 7 km. There is no information about any casualty.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre has estimated the earthquake struck at a depth of about 40 km.
The resultant tremors were felt in parts of north India including Delhi and National Capital Region.
Tremors lasted nearly 30 seconds in Delhi, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, according to initial reports.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Spoke to officials & took stock of the situation in the wake of the earthquake felt in various parts of North India.”
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has directed the Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh to take stock of the situation. Rawat has also directed Singh to start immediate relief operations after measuring the impact of the earthquake from all district magistrates.
The Ministry of Home Affairs have sought a detailed report on the earthquake and tweeted, “Closely monitoring the situation in earthquake-hit Uttarakhand and other north Indian states where the tremors have been felt.”
The teams from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed to Uttarakhand, the Home Ministry tweeted, saying: The NDRF teams have been rushed from Ghaziabad to Uttarakhand to conduct rescue and relief operations, if the situation arises.