Earthquake hits Andamans, tsunami alert sounded

A massive earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands today at 00.56 am. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services issued a 'Tsunami Watch' notice soon after the quake.

A massive earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday at 00.56 am with epicentre at 160 km west of Nicobar Islands at the depth of 35 km.

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The Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued a 'Tsunami Watch' notice soon after the quake.

"We will be withdrawing that notice as there is no change in the sea water levels. Tsunami Watch notice is sort of a warning notice that does not necessitate evacuating the people," T Srinivasa Kumar, an official incharge told IANS over phone.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) after issuing a Regional Watch notice covering India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia later scaled it down to India alone.

According to PTWC, a destructive widespread Tsunami threat does not exist as per the past earthquake and Tsunami data.

However the centre stated that it is not ruling out the possibility of local Tsunami that could affect coasts located not more than a hundred kilometres from the epicentre of the quake.

According to Chennai Met office, the tremor was also felt in several parts of Chennai like Koyambedu, Thiruvanmiyur, Santhome, Royapettah.

A Nocobar police officer told IANS over phone that no damage has been reported.