(TibetanReview.net, Nov21, 2017) – Although only three people received injuries, which were minor, the 6.9-maginitude pre-dawn earthquake which jolted Nyingtri City of Tibet Autonomous Region on Nov 19 caused serious enough damage to homes and properties to required more than 2000 people to be relocated to temporary shelters, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency Nov 20. The quake was reported to have been felt strongly in all of the eight counties and districts of Nyingtri City, with the epicentre having been monitored at Lunang Township.
“It was the largest earthquake in my life. The house was shaking and I couldn’t stand still. It’s terrifying,” Trok Cering, a villager who was milking his cow when the earthquake struck, was quoted as saying.
The report said the city government had set up 505 tents at 49 resettlement points for the people in the affected counties and districts.
About 3,000 buildings, including 24 offices, seven police stations, nine health centres, 25 schools and several temples were reported to have suffered damages. Homes of 1,453 families were reported to have got damaged. Rescuers were stated to have cleared 162 road blockages and restored 53 telecommunication lines.
More than 300 aftershocks were reported to have been detected, affecting over 12,000 people in six counties and districts.
Nov 18 was the first day of the Kongpo Tibetan people’s New Year in the Nyingchi area.