5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude struck Mulugu in Telangana on Wednesday morning, the National Center for Seismology said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties or major damage to properties.

The quake hit at 7.27 am. The tremors were felt at several places in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Several residents of Warangal, near Mulugu, said they experienced an unusual jerk for a few seconds around 7.30 am. Ceiling fans began swinging and items started falling off the cupboards.

Retired scientist of National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) Purnachandra Rao told PTI that quakes of more than five magnitude are rarely seen in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

An earthquake of 5.7 magnitude was witnessed at the temple town of Bhadrachalam in 1969 though smaller quakes have been reported, he recalled.

Following the 5.3 quake on Wednesday, aftershocks are possible for a couple of days but there is no need to panic, he added.