Earthquake hits South Gujarat, tremors of magnitude 4.7 felt in various parts

Tremors from a medium intensity earthquake were felt in parts of South Gujarat early on Sunday. According to initial reports, an earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale was felt in areas of Randher in Surat, Amreli, Sawarkundla and Adajan.

The epicentre of the quake was at a depth of 10 Kms, some 14 Kms near Surat, reports said. There have been no reports of a tsunami warning, yet. The Geological Survey of India recognises Gujarat as one of the five seismic zones in India, with parts around Surat especially vulnerable to earthquakes. 

The Indian subcontinent in itself is highly vulnerable to seismic activity. At least 38 Indian cities lie in high-risk seismic zones and nearly 60 percent of the subcontinental landmass is vulnerable to earthquakes.

In 2001, Gujarat was rocked by one of the worst natural disasters, when an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the scale left over 13,000 dead and over 1.6 lakh injured.