With a major earthquake jolting parts of India on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed all authorities concerned to be on alert for rescue and relief operations as required.

“PM took stock of the situation following the fresh major earthquake felt in Nepal and parts of India, at a high-level meeting,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“PM directed all concerned authorities to be on alert for carrying out rescue and relief operations, as required,” it added.

A major earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale epicentred in Nepal shook several parts in north and east India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, causing panic among people, less than three weeks after the region was hit by a devastating temblor.

The quake occurred at 12:35 pm and was epicentred some 70 kilometres east of Kathmandu at a depth of 18.5 kilometres, Indian Meteorological Department said.

It was followed by three aftershocks of 6.2, 5.4 and 4.8 on the Richter scale.

The April 25 earthquake which measured 7.9 on Richter scale had claimed over 8,000 lives in Nepal. Nearly 80 people were also killed in India, mostly in Bihar, due to the temblor. 

Image: People gather outside SBI building after an earthquake in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Subhav Shukla/PTI