Mumbai, July 9 (IANS) Mild tremors were felt in Maharashtra’s Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani districts in the early hours of Thursday. No casualties or damage to property have been reported so far.

The District Emergency Operations Centre reported that earthquake tremors were felt in Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani at around 1:37 a.m., 2:15 a.m., and 2:17 a.m., respectively.

According to official reports, the magnitudes of the tremors were recorded at 4.6, 3.6, and 3.9 on the Richter scale. Officials said the epicentre was located near Shirli village in Basmat taluka of Hingoli district. Preliminary information received by the District Emergency Operations Centre confirmed that there was no loss of life or damage to property.

The tremors occurred in the middle of the night when many residents were asleep. As multiple tremors were felt within a short span, authorities said the possibility of further tremors cannot be ruled out. However, since earthquakes cannot be predicted in advance, citizens have been advised not to panic and to remain alert. District Collector Rahul Kardile appealed to residents to move to open areas if they experience any fresh tremors.

As a precautionary measure, emergency response teams, fire services, and medical units across Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani have been kept on high alert to respond to any potential aftershocks or emergencies.

Meanwhile, rainfall activity is expected to decrease across parts of Maharashtra from July 9. Weather agency Skymet said no fresh monsoon system is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal over the next few days, which is expected to ease the ongoing intense monsoon activity over Mumbai and its suburbs.

In its latest weather update issued early Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed Nashik, Palghar, Raigad, Pune, and Satara under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert for very heavy rainfall has been issued for Mumbai suburban areas and Thane, while a yellow alert remains in effect for Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, and heavy rainfall expected at isolated places.

–IANS

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