Tremors in Kolkata, Metro services halted

Kolkata, April 11 (IANS) People came out of homes and offices and Metro services were halted Wednesday as tremors from the massive earthquake that hit Indonesia were felt in Kolkata and its outskirts.

"Yes there have been tremors of the earthquake, which has its epicentre in Sumatra," said G.C. Debnath, director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Kolkata.

Hundreds of Kolkatans ran out of their homes and offices and gathered on the streets. The tremors were felt in various parts of the city, especially in Lake Town, Salt Lake and Park Street area.

While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) put its intensity at 8.5 on the Richter scale, the US Geological Survey classified it an 8.9 temblor, whose epicentre was at a depth of 33 km.

The earthquake had its epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra. There have been no reports so far of loss of life or property in India or elsewhere.

A tsunami alert was issued for 28 places, including India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar and Bangladesh.