New Delhi: At least 17 people have died in India due to the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday morning. While nine deaths have been reported in Bihar, seven people have died in Uttar Pradesh and one casualty is from West Bengal.

According to Bharatiya Janata Party MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy three deaths have been reported from Sitamarhi district of Bihar which borders Nepal. Rudy said he spoke to a senior Bihar officer who told him that electricity supply has been cut to prevent incidents of fire due to short circuits and mobile connectivity has broken down.

Even landline phones are not working in major parts of north Bihar and officials are using wireless to contact each other and coordinate relief and rescue work.

The 7.9 magnitude quake with its epicentre in Lamjung district of Nepal damaged several buildings.

One person has also died in Jalpaiguri and over 50 others are reported to have suffered injuries in Siliguri in West Bengal.

Authorities in Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh are trying to figure out the extent of damages.

The 7.9 magnitude quake with its epicentre in Lamjung district of Nepal damaged several buildings including UNESCO heritage site Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower). Eyewitnesses claim that about 400 people are trapped under the rubble of Dharahara which was nine-storey tall and built in the 19th century.

IBN/RI