Pre-dawn earthquake kills seven, over 70 injured, more than 175 buildings damaged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2016: Manipur woke up to a powerful earth-quake, worst in 59 years, measuring 6.8 on Richter's scale today.

The tremor that rocked the whole North India and parts of neighbouring countries at 4.35 am killed seven people leaving over 70 others injured in the State.

The epicentre of the quake has been located between Naga Hills and Kabui Khu-llen, some 10 km to the North of Noney bazar in Tameng-long district.

Many injured persons were brought to RIMS hospital, JNIMS hospital and other Government and private medical facilities across the State till late morning.

Some hours after the earthquake, a team of National Disaster Management Authority arrived in the State capital from Guwahati in an special Indian Air Force flight for relief and rescue operations.

Pre-dawn earthquake kills seven, over 70 injured

One C-17 Globemaster plane and one IL-76 plane have been kept on standby at Hindon Air Force Station for Manipur earthquake.

Today's tremor was the worst ever in 59 years after the earthquake measuring 7.3 on Richter's Scale with its epicentre at Kumbi Haotak Khullen shook the State in 1957.Manipur University's Seismological Observatory Scientist Sanoujam Mani-chandra told The Sangai Express that the epicentre of today's quake has been located at a weaker zone at a depth of around 39 Kms on Irang river fault above the Indian plate.

The earthquake could have caused extensive loss of property and life if the depth was less, he said.

He said that the tremor was felt for around eight seconds and more than 20 aftershocks having magnitude upto 5.1 on the Richter's scale had struck the State so far.

He also said that return of another powerful aftershock can't be ruled out.

Saying that Manipur is located within seismic zone-5, Manichandra mentioned about the need to abide by the construction guidelines laid down by the Government.

Stressing on the need for seismic microzonation of the State, Dr Manichandra said that engineers must receive training in seismic designs.

Of the seven dead victims, identities of only six could be established at the time of filing this report.

They were Kangujam Ibotombi (64) of Taobungkhok Awang Leikai, Moirangthem Sarat (57) of Luwangsangbam Makha Leikai, Debumaya Mote (55) w/o Bhim Bahadur of Premnagar Lei-makhong, Darsha Mote (11) d/o Gopal Mote of Premnagar Leimakhong, Dijapati (17) d/o Opendro Namasadra of Chandranathpur Latingkhal (Jiribam), Geeta Rimal (19) d/o Ruk Narayan Rimal of P Moulding village (Nepali Basti) under Sapermeina PS.

Kangujam Ibotombi died on the spot and her wife Shama was injured when a wall collapsed upon them inside their house.

Around 32 injured persons are undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital, 10 at JNIMS hospital and three other at Shija hospital.

At Longmai (Noney) Part-III Puangailuang, located close to the epicentre, a mud wall of a house collapsed on four persons of a family when they were sleeping.

All of them were immediately rushed to a nearby PHC for treatment.

Reports reaching here said that of the four injured persons, one has been discharged while three have been evacuated to Imphal.

Tent Maker's Academy, Longmai Noney Part-I has developed a 50-metre crack due to the impact of the tremor.

Large rocks fell down on the middle of NH-37 (Imphal- Jiribam road), around 5 km away from Noney towards Imphal.

In Imphal, people across the city ran out from their respective houses when the powerful earthquake jolted the State.

Many people stopped their two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles on roadsides and middle of the road when they felt the tremor.

Large portions of ceiling, wall, pillar and others fell apart in two Ima Keithels.

Police sealed the two Ema Keithels after some hours to enable experts study possible collapse.

It appeared that Bir Tikendrajit flyover had sunk by some inches on the western side.

Minuthong was also closed after some hours as it developed cracks in the middle of the road and other portions of the bridge.

Around five houses were damaged and six persons injured at Yumnam Khunou Maning Leikai in Imphal East district.

The overhead water reservoir of PHED of Imphal East district headquarters Porompat got leaked today as a result of the early morning earthquake today and water supply has been disrupted.

The wall at the room of Horticulture Department director located at Sanjenthong also developed cracks as a result of the earthquake and PWD engineer is assessing the situation.

Meanwhile, Manipur Press Club building also developed cracks due to the earthquake that strikes today's early morning.

Makhan Baptist Church building which is located 2 kms from Kangchup has tilted to 45-degree angle.

Kharam Pallel Government UJB school room wall also fell due to today's morning earthquake.