Two earthquakes measuring 4.8 and 5.8 jolted Nagaland and Northeastern states Sunday morning.
According to Regional Seismological Centre (RSC) at Shillong, the first quake of “slight intensity” measuring 4.8 on the richter scale hit with its epicenter located at Arunachal Pradesh-Xizang (China) border region occurred at 1.13 a.m.

Eight hours later, another earthquake of moderate intensity jolted the region at 9.44 a.m.  The quake measured 5.8 on the richter scale and its epicentre was located in Phek district of Nagaland, said RSC.

Talking to Nagaland Post, DC Phek Nikhashe Sema said retaining walls in Phek village were damaged and some RCC buildings developed cracks. He however said there was no report of casualty in the district.

An official of the Phek Village Council said Sunday’s quake was one of the worst since the inception of village. He said the quake has left many shell-shocked and that the “unbelievable shaky moment” will be remembered in the history of the village.

It was also reported that the strong quake forced the congregation at Phek Village Baptist Church (PVBC) to rush out in the midst of the devotional service fearing the church building to collapse.

PVC further thanked Almighty God for protecting and saving the people from major calamity.
Minster for Health & Family Welfare, Khuzoluzo Azo Nienu, while expressing sympathy to Phek village (his constituency-- 19 Phek A/C) in particular and people of the region in general, prayed that no major natural disaster occur in the area that would affect the lives of the people.

A village elder in Phek said the quake was strong here. “The sudden and strong jolt shook my house, taking us by surprise. He also said that the retaining walls were damaged.

The tremor was also felt in the state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur including other districts.
In Dimapur, people were seen rushing out of their buildings. A resident of Noutun basti said “I felt the quake while having morning tea. The jolt shook my table spilling off the tea. The quake was strong”.

One shopkeeper who lives at the second floor apartment of four-storey building in Circular Road said “I had gone down to my shop just below my apartment and suddenly I felt the tremors shaking the entire building”.

Another resident of Thahekhu village said he heard a buzzing sound and suddenly the whole building shook for a few seconds.

In Kohima, resident were also seen rushing out of their buildings. A resident of Agri colony said he was getting ready for church and the sudden jolt made him run out of the house “half dressed”.

Besides Nagaland, other states which felt the tremors include Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.  Northeast is considered the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world.

The region experienced one of the worst earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on the richter scale in 1897 that claimed the lives of over 1,600 people.