Delhi officials asked to monitor situation after earthquake

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday directed officials to closely monitor the situation after tremors were felt in the national capital.

Government has also sought a report from all district magistrates about the situation in the city.

"Chief Minister has directed all senior officials to moniter the situation," said a senior government official.

The official said civil defence volunteers are making field assessment of the situation.

"All DMs have been directed by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia to submit a detailed report about the earthquake situation in the national capital," official also said.

In a tweet, Kejriwal appealed people to maintain calm.

"Please do not panic and maintain calm. Earthquake situation is being closely monitored and officials are already in the field," he said.

Delhi Secretariat as well as many government buildings and schools were evacuated immediately after the quake.

Metro services were immediately restricted. Authorities said in many areas, high-rise buildings were also vacated.

Students were asked by teachers to leave the classrooms and gather in the playground.

"Taking preventive measures, we asked students to vacate the building and come out in the open," teacher of a government school in Turkman Gate area said.

However, after a break of 20-30 minutes, schools resumed operation.

A high-intensity earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale epicentred in Nepal sent strong tremors through several eastern and northern parts of India today, leaving 17 dead, including 16 in Bihar, and causing panic.