Shillong: An SMS circulated in the northeast triggered panic on Tuesday as it warned that a major earthquake would hit the region, officials said.
"Important msg - the seismological dept for the Northeast, Shillong have announced that a major earthquake measuring 6.7 richter scale may hit d northeast at around 12.57 a.m. tonight," the SMS read.
The text message also advised the people to stay outdoors during the time.
"It has created a panic in the entire region. We have received many calls, but the centre did not make such an announcement," Andrew C Lyngdoh, in-charge of the Central Seismological Observatory at Upper Shillong, said.
Top 10 bizarre & controversial archeological discoveries
He noted that the observatory does not predict earthquakes nor is there any technique to forecast them.
Asked if they would file a police case, Lyngdoh said that the office was yet to take a decision on the matter.
The northeastern region is considered by seismologists to be the sixth most earthquake-prone belt in the world.
