Earthquake of 4.6 intensity hits Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, Aug 27 (PTI) An earthquake measuring 4.6 on theRichter scale hit parts of Himachal Pradesh this morning,following which panic-stricken people rushed out of theirhomes in Shimla and Kullu districts. While some old buildings developed cracks, there was noreport of loss of life or major damage. The earthquake which occurred at 6:46 AM, had itsepicentre at Kullu at a depth of 10 km, said Director of localMeT office, Manmohan Singh said, adding that aftershocks of4.3 and 4.2 magnitudes were recorded at 7:05 AM and 9 AMrespectively. People in Rampur area of Shimla district and Kullu ranout of their houses in panic. They claimed there were ten tofifteen tremors in quick successions. No loss of life or property has been reported.Educational institutes and schools were closed as precaution,said Rampur Sub Divisional Magistrate Nishant Thakur. He added tents have been provided in open places forpeople unwilling to return to their houses and a huge tree ata school campus, which was posing risk, has been felled. Some old buildings in Ani area of Kullu, Kingal andKumarsein developed cracks. Reports of boulders rolling downfrom hills have been reported interior areas of Rampur andKullu, said officials. People avoided going to office after the tremors, whichwere felt in Shimla, Solan, Chopal and parts of Sirmaurdistrict. The tremors have also increased the  risk of landslideswith monsoon rains loosening soil. District administration officials in Kullu and Shimlaalso said no loss of life or property has been reported. PTIPCL ANB DVBSA