Storm uproots trees, snaps power lines, plunges localities into darkness. (Photo)

Silchar, Apr 12: A 4.3-magnitude earthquake rattled Cachar district at approximately 9:21 am on Sunday, causing widespread panic as residents hurriedly evacuated their homes.

Fortunately, no significant structural damage has been reported, but the tremor has intensified anxiety among locals still reeling from recent extreme weather conditions.

Shortly after the earthquake, a fierce cyclonic storm struck Silchar and surrounding regions, resulting in extensive destruction.

Strong winds uprooted numerous trees throughout the town, damaging power lines and leaving many areas in darkness.

Malugram, Tarapur, and the DC Office enclave were among the hardest-hit locations, where large, mature trees fell, obstructing vital roads and damaging nearby infrastructure.

The fallen trees and debris caused significant disruptions to traffic, leading to the deployment of emergency teams to clear the roads and restore order.

Residents experienced prolonged power outages and considerable interruptions to their daily routines, with restoration efforts ongoing at an urgent pace.

Witnesses recounted chaotic scenes, with large tree trunks scattered across the streets and vehicles narrowly avoiding damage. “We had just started to recover from the earthquake when the cyclonic winds and heavy rain caused fresh panic,” a Tarapur resident shared.

Officials from the Cachar District Disaster Management Authority are actively monitoring the situation and have advised residents to stay alert.

Meanwhile, teams from the power department are working diligently to restore electricity, although authorities have warned that achieving full normalcy may take some time due to the extent of the damage.