J-K: Fresh tremors in Bhaderwah valley

Three moderate intensity tremors shook Bhaderwah valley and adjoining areas of Doda-Kishtwar belt of Jammu in the wee hours on Wednesday, prompting authorities to once again shut schools in the region rattled by a series of quakes this month.

However, there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage. The moderate intensity tremors of 4.8, 5.3 and 5.0 magnitude on the Richter Scale shook the area at 1.28 AM, 1.30 am and 1.33 am, Met officials said. The tremors were followed by aftershocks at 2 AM, 2.12 am, 2.33 am, 4.41 am and 7.30 am.

A police spokesman said, "Units set up by the government to tackle any exigency have launched operations to assess any damage and conduct rescue operations, if needed".

Schools and educational institutes, which reopened on Tuesday, have been closed once again due to the quake. Authorities had closed all educational institutions after tremors shook Bhaderwah and adjoining areas of Doda district on May 1.

A total of 33 tremors have been recorded in the Bhaderwah-Doda-Kishtwar belt during the past fortnight with maximum 11 on May 1.