Tremors lasted for at least 10 seconds, spreading panic among people.

New Delhi:

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale and epicentred in Myanmar today shook several parts of east and northeast India.

According to National Centre for Seismology, a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences, the epicenter of the quake was in Myanmar and it occurred at 4:04 pm at a depth of 58 kms.

Tremors were felt in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam, spreading panic among people. According to reports, offices, colleges and buildings were evacuated. People said tremors lasted for at least 10 seconds. There were no immediate reports of loss to life or property.

People stand outside their offices after they rushed outdoors following tremors in Kolkata. (Photo: AP)

The northeast is one of the most earthquake prone regions in the world.

The epicentre was near Chauk, a town on the Irrawaddy River several hundred kilometres northwest of Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw. The tremors lasted for several minutes.

"There was also some sound as well. A pagoda collapsed in Salay and a building also collapsed," Soe Win, a regional MP from the township in Magway region, said, adding that he has not yet heard of any casualties.

The USGS estimated that the impact would be "relatively localised" but noted that many buildings in the region are "highly vulnerable" to earthquake shaking.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, though the country has not seen a major quake since 2012.

The last major quake struck in a nearby region in April and caused minor damages but no casualties.