New Delhi:
A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake on Saturday hit near Nepal's capital of Kathmandu where some houses have been damaged and walls toppled.
There is no immediate word on casualties. The quake hit around noon and was also felt in neighbouring India as well as in Pakistan.
Mohammad Shahab, a resident from Lahore, Pakistan, says he was sitting in his office when the earthquake rocked the city.
He says the tremors continued for a while but now the situation is normal in the city.
The sustained quake also was felt in India's capital of New Delhi.
The US Geological Survey says it expects heavy damage in Nepal.
Quake hits many parts of east, north India
A high-intensity quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale today rocked many parts of East and North India, including Delhi, epicentre of which was Nepal.
Tremors were felt across eastern and northern parts of India, said J L Gautam, Head Operations Seismology of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
“Earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred today at 11.41 AM between latitude 28.1 North and Longitude 84.6 East. The epicentre was located in Nepal,” an IMD statement said.
The tremors, which were felt in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, lasted for a minute, triggering panic and forcing people to rush out of their houses and offices.
There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property in Delhi.
Officials said Metro train services in Delhi were also affected due to the earthquake.
Tremors felt in Bengal
Parts of West Bengal were today rocked by an earthquake, that had its epicenter in Nepal, causing panic among the people.
“The tremors of the earthquake which had its epicenter in Nepal region was felt here in the city and other parts of the Eastern region. The magnitude of the earthquake on the Richter Scale is 7.5 . We are still waiting for more details,” D K Das , a senior official of Kolkata Meteorological department said.
Hundreds of people ran out of their homes and offices and assembled on the streets. The tremors were felt in various parts of the city especially in Lake Town, Salt Lake, Dalhousie and Park street area.
Reports from the districts said it was also experienced in Purulia, Bankura, Burdwan, East Midnapore and Nadia district.
