Panic as strong quake hits Assam

A strong earthquake and nerve jangling aftershocks cracked walls and sent inhabitants pouring onto the streets in several towns across northeastern India yesterday. 

There have been no reports of casualties so far, with residents saying the main human toll was stress, minor cuts and bruises. 

The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the 6.0 magnitude quake was in a hilly region in Assam state near India's border with Bhutan. The quake's relatively shallow depth of 34 kilometres ade the impact more powerful.

Both the main tremor and aftershocks were felt hundreds of kilometres away in the northern state of Bengal, as well as in Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Residents near the epicenter told AFP that the tremor lasted for more than 20 seconds. They said many buildings suffered cracked walls and broken windows. Fissures spread across roads.

At least two big aftershocks were felt.

The Himalayan region is notorious for big earthquakes. A 1950 quake killed about 4,800 people in Assam and Tibet.  The Great Assam Earthquake of 1897 is said to be one of the most powerful to have hit India, leaving hundreds dead in the remote hills.