5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

An earthquake of 5.3-magnitude struck Mulugu in Telangana on Wednesday morning, the National Centre for Seismology said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualty or major damage to properties.

The quake hit at 7.27 am. The tremors were felt at several places in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Several residents of Warangal, near Mulugu, said they experienced an unusual jerk for a few seconds around 7.30 am. Ceiling fans began swinging and items started falling off the cupboards.

Mulugu is about 200 km from the state capital.

Retired scientist of National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) Purnachandra Rao told PTI that quakes of more than five magnitude rarely hit Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

An earthquake of 5.7 magnitude was recorded at the temple town of Bhadrachalam in 1969 though smaller quakes have been reported, he recalled.

Following the 5.3 earthquake on Wednesday, aftershocks are possible for a couple of days but there is no need to panic, he added.