Shimla, Apr 5
The 5.3 earthquake epicenter around Sach, Sechu, Shoon (Hilutwan), and Kumar (Parmar) Panchayats of Tehsil Pangi of District Chamba caused no loss of life.
The National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, provided information about a 5.3 magnitude earthquake on April 4, 2024, at 9:34 pm. The geographical location of this earthquake was 33.09 latitude and 76.59 longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers. According to the analysis of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, Sach, Sechu, Shoon (Hilutwan), and Kumar (Parmar) Panchayats of Tehsil Pangi of District Chamba were affected by the identified epicenter of the earthquake.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena stated that prompt action was ensured by the State Emergency Operations Centre. With the help of GIS, the areas around the epicenter of the earthquake were identified. Adding, that the Deputy Commissioner of District Chamba and the Regional Commissioner Pangi were contacted, and the situation was assessed, with information collected from the District Disaster Management Authority Chamba and Resident Commissioner Pangi.
He further mentioned that the local administration are in constant touch with the field staff of the area, including Patwari Sach, Police Outpost Purthi, and the elected representatives of the affected areas. Though Sach, Sechu, Shun (Hilutwan), and Kumar (Parmar) Panchayats are affected by the earthquake, but there have been no reports of loss of life or property.
On Friday morning, the local administration, along with a team of Executive Magistrates, Kanungo, doctors, and police, were dispatched to the affected Panchayats for search and rescue operations. As of now, there are no reports of loss of life, and the situation is deemed normal. Rescue teams have reached all the affected Gram Panchayats. Some houses in the area have suffered partial damage, for which a detailed report is being prepared, he stated.
It was also mentioned that the State Disaster Management Authority is regularly conducting drills among citizens to reduce the loss of life and property due to earthquake disasters.
