(ANS – Dimapur) – An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit northeast India in the early hours of Monday 4th January, 2016 with its epicentre at Tamenglong in Manipur state. There were 20 minor aftershocks. With its impact felt in Bangladesh, Myanmar and West Bengal and the adjoining States in India, there were first reports of over ten deaths and numerous casualties along with destruction of a number of houses.

The Salesian Province of Dimapur falling within the epicentre of the earthquake has many Salesian presences in the form of Schools, Youth Centres and Parishes. The adjacent provinces Silchar (INS) and Guwahati (ING) too have a number of institutions in the quake hit area. Numerous groups of the Salesian Family operate in this region.

Fr. Nestor Guria, Salesian Provincial (IND) said that although there are a number of Salesian Institutions in the region, all the confreres, students and members of the Salesian Family are safe.  As per initial reports only a minor crack was seen on the wall of a church in Tamenglong - the epicentre of the earthquake, where there is a Salesian presence with a parish and a school.

Fr. George Menamparampil, Director, Mission Procure for South Asia from New Delhi reported that they have not launched any relief operation as the government of Manipur was able to handle the situation with some support the federal government.

Minor tremors are frequent in the Himalayan region as the tectonic plates are under severe tension, with the prediction of a bigger quake to follow suit. This earthquake has been the strongest since 1950.

Published 07/01/2016