Angana Majumdar
(The writer can be reached at anganamajumdar4@gmail.com)
Natural disasters are unavoidable and can be a spine-chilling memory for the survivors. With the earthquake of 6.4 on the Richter scale hitting Assam on 28th of April 2021, people across the state reminiscent of the 1950 earthquake that shattered Assam to bits and pieces.
The 6th biggest earthquake of the 20th century was the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake, also known as the Assam earthquake. It occurred on 15 August 1950 evening at 7:39 pm and had a magnitude of 8.6 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located in the "Mishmi Hills", south of the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangri_Garpo 'Himalayas in the North-East Frontier Agency part of Assam. Severe damage occurred in the 'Sivasagar-Sadiya' area of Assam, India and the surrounding hills. About 70 villages were destroyed in the 'Abor Hills', mostly by landslides. Large landslides blocked the 'Subansiri River. This natural dam broke 8 days later, creating a wave 7 m (23 ft) high which inundated several villages and killed 536 people.