India says a tsunami was generated after Sumatra quake
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New Delhi - Indian authorities said a tsunami was generatedfollowing the 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia Wednesday butthe wave height recorded so far was between 0.1 and 0.3 metres.
Authorities were on high alert in India's Andaman and NicobarIslands, where a tsunami warning was issued, as well as mainlandcoastal areas that felt tremors following the earthquake.
No loss of life or property was reported immediately.
"Real-time measurements of wave activity have indicated that atsunami was generated," India's Tsunami Early Warning Centre said ina bulletin.
The centre said waves with heights of up to 3.8 metres could beexpected on the shores of the Nicobar Islands, which are located nearthe quake's epicentre.
"We have announced a tsunami warning for the Nicobar Islands.There are also alerts for Chennai and other coastal areas locatedfurther away," warning centre spokesman Sriniwasa Kumar said byphone. "Some minor tsunami activity has been observed," he added.
Waves 45 centimetres higher than the usual were recorded on theNicobar Islands, broadcaster NDTV reported, citing island officials.
Authorities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were on high alertand evacuating people to shelters, the report said.
Tremors from the earthquake were felt in the coastal cities ofChennai and Kolkata, sparking panic among people who rushed out ofbuildings.//DPA
