India's northeast is shaken by moderate earthquake

NEW DELHI: North India was shaken by a strong earthquake measuring 5.4 on Friday, sending people fleeing into the streets in panic, but there were no reports of damage or casualties.

The earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, an official of the Indian Meteorological Department told AFP in New Delhi.

The epicenter was located in Guwahati, the main commercial city of Assam, the official said.

People rushed in fear in the streets when the quake struck.

Some cracks appeared in buildings, but there were no reports of any significant damage or casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has measured the earthquake's magnitude at 5.3 and said it struck at 12:41 GMT or 6:31 p.m. local time.

The earthquake was shallow with a depth of 11 kilometers (six miles), the USGS said.

In September 2011, a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook northern India, killing eight people, including five who died in the earthquake that shook the neighboring Nepal.

India seven northeastern states, have joined the rest of the country by a narrow strip of land, are located in an area of frequent seismic activity.