PATNA:For the second time in a month, Bihar bore the brunt as a massive earthquake that killed at least six persons and injured over 20.The high-intensity temblor, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, epicentered at Kodari in Nepal, caused loss to life and property in different districts of the state.
Successive shocks that were felt minutes after the first one at 12.35 pm triggered panic in several areas. Two persons were killed in a wall collapse following the temblor -- one in Danapur area here and another in Siwan -- as per the information available with the state disaster control room. Over twenty students of the in Zila public school at Darbhanga also sustained injuries.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called an urgent meeting of the state disaster management department and directed the officials concerned to assess the damage caused by the quake and make a visit to the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Bihar government has advanced the summer vacation holidays for all government and private schools from Wednesday and opened all its parks for 24 hours in the wake of the likely aftershocks. The CM assured a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of those killed and said that the others affected would be provided assistance as per government norms.