Quake close to Lanka

Rafik JALALDEEN

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the richter scale struck Port Blair in the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday night. No tsunami threat was reported.

Meteorologist D.A. Jayasinghearachchi said an earthquake of 6.6 magnitude reportedly hit Port Blair on Tuesday around 10.24 p.m. approximately 1,600 km away from Colombo.

He said the minor earthquake was centered about 1,600 km off the coast of Colombo.

"If a tsunami struck, it would have taken at least two and half hours to reach Sri Lanka. Besides, the velocity of tsunami wave should have been 800 kmh," he added.

The earthquake struck nearly 137 miles north of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. (13.6 north latitude and 92.88 east longitude). The earthquake has been measured at a depth of 41.7 km, he added.

"An earthquake between three-six magnitude is a normal phenomenon in the region. Around 6.6 magnitude is not high to generate a tsunami.

If the earthquake was over seven magnitude, we have to be alert as there is a tsunami threat there," Jayasinghearachchi told the Daily News.

Tremors were reportedly felt in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur and Khurda in Orissa State in India. Mild tremors were also felt in Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu. However, no casualties were reported.