New Delhi: Earthquake tremors have shaken the country once again.  Doda in Jammu and Kashmir and Udalguri in Assam were hit by earthquakes on Sunday. The intensity of the earthquake in Jammu was 4 magnitude on the Richter scale while in Assam it was 4.2 magnitude.

People came out of their homes

Data released by the National Center for Seismology said, "An earthquake of magnitude 4 on the Richter scale hit Doda district at 6.14 am. The earthquake occurred 15 kilometers below the earth's surface. Officials said that so far there is no news of any casualties or damage to property from anywhere. However, people came out of their houses in panic.

Earthquakes are increasing in Jammu and Kashmir

Earthquakes of varying intensity have been occurring in the Chenab Valley region of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi districts. The frequency of these earthquakes has increased in the last five to seven years. Earthquakes have wreaked havoc here earlier too.

The valley is an earthquake-prone area

The Kashmir valley is located in a seismically sensitive zone. On 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Jammu and Kashmir. The epicentre of the 2005 earthquake was located 19 km northeast of Muzaffarabad city in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The earthquake caused massive destruction in northern Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan.

During this time, many villages of Jammu and Kashmir were completely destroyed. At least 32,335 buildings collapsed in various cities of Kashmir Valley including Anantnag and Srinagar, Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Officially, the death toll in POK and Pakistan's NWFP was 79000.

However other sources put the number at 86,000 and the number of injured was estimated to be over 69,000. At least 1,350 people were killed and 6,266 injured in Jammu and Kashmir and the tremors were felt as far away as Delhi, 1,000 kilometres away.

What to do and what not to do to avoid earthquake

If you are at home when an earthquake occurs, then first of all sit on the ground.

Sit under any table and cover your head with your hands. Stay inside the house until the earthquake tremors stop and then come out.

If you are outside during an earthquake, stay away from tall buildings or electric poles.