An earthquake hits Assam in India. Photo / Supplied
An earthquake hits Assam in India. Photo / Supplied
An Indian state has been rocked by a massive earthquake that has left buildings and roads damaged just as the country reels from its latest Covid crisis.
The 6.2 magnitude quake hit the state of Assam in India's north east on Wednesday, leaving buildings damaged and cracks in roads, accordingto reports online.
"Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the wellbeing of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts," Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Authorities in the state are in the process of checking of fatalities, Reuters reports, although so far, no official deaths have been recorded.
First video of aftermath of Assam Earthquake on Twitter.
Shocking footage of the earthquake's destruction have been shared on social media by witnesses, who have captured and described the devastation.
"This earthquake was the biggest I can remember, there was first a big jolt and then a smaller one," a police official in the town told Reuters.
"We did not receive any distress calls, but people did run out of their homes."
The natural disaster comes as the country reels from a deadly wave of coronavirus infections, with 360,960 fresh cases and 3293 new deaths confirmed over the last 24 hours – a horrifying jump from yesterday's 223,000 new cases.
The quake was at a magnitude of 6.2 according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at 6.0 magnitude, and said it hit at a depth of 34km with a epicentre near Dhekiajuli town — about 140km from the main city of Assam.
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has hit Assam in India. Photo / Supplied
Strong tremors were felt in India's north east, as well as neighbouring Bhutan. In Bhutan, hundreds of people fled from their homes as the quake shook the area, a witness told Reuters.
"Our entire multi-storeyed apartment has witnessed massive damage with roofs and walls caving in," Subham Hazarika, a businessman who lives in an up-market apartment in Guwahati, told Reuters.
