Dharamsala, January 28
Panic gripped residents of Baijnath and Palampur when the area was rocked by tremors in the wee hours of today.

According to Dr R.S. Negi, in charge, Wadia Institute of Seismology at Naddi, the first tremor was recorded at 3.52 a.m. and it measured 4.0 on the Richter scale. The epicentre of the earthquake is said to be somewhere in the area falling between Chamba and Jammu and Kashmir. The second tremor, measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, was felt at 4.04 a.m. and lasted for almost 20 seconds.

The impact of these tremors was felt by the people in Palampur, Baijnath, Chamba and Banikhet areas. The districts of Chamba, Kangra and Mandi fall in the most-sensitive seismic zone V.

People in Baijnath and Palampur felt the tremors and ran out of their houses. Two mild tremors were felt at 5.10 a.m. and 8.58 a.m.

KANGRA: Kangra town and other areas of the valley experienced four tremors, including two of major intensity, in a five-hour duration in the early hours of Monday, seismological department sources said here.

Mr Rahul Anand, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kangra, said no loss of life or property had been reported from any part of the district so far.

The Kangra valley experienced an earthquake in the beginning of this month, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale. During the past 90 years, Himachal Pradesh has experienced more than 250 earthquakes, reflecting the high vulnerability of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi and Shimla districts.

The valley falls in the high-risk seismic zone V. Tibetan oracles and spiritual leaders have predicted a major earthquake in the Kangra valley and constructed stupas to ward off the calamity.

CHAMBA: The entire alpine region of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh was rocked on Monday by an earthquake of mild intensity. According to reports received here, the tremors of the quake were felt around 4 a.m. and lasted for about 30 seconds. However, no loss of life or property has so far been reported from the region.

As there is neither a seismological department nor any seismograph installed in the district, the intensity of the earthquake could not be ascertained accurately.

MANDI: Tremors of moderate intensity rocked the region around 4 a.m. Some people woke up and came out of their houses in panic as doors and windows rattled.