Moderate 5.4 quake hits India’s Assam

A moderate 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern India's Assam state early yesterday morning, according to the US Geological Survey.

The shallow quake was centered three kilometres outside of the village of Dhing near India's border with Bhutan and hit around 4:17 am (2247 GMT on Sunday).

The USGS reported strong shaking in the area, but expected a limited population had been affected.

Tremors were felt across Meghalaya and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal, prompting people in several areas to rush out of their homes. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Himalayan region experiences big earthquakes each year, and has been the site of some of India's largest and deadliest tremors.

A 1950 quake killed about 4,800 people in Assam and Tibet.

The Great Assam Earthquake of 1897 is said to be one of the most powerful to have hit India, leaving hundreds dead in the remote hills.