A string of high intensity earthquakes off Indonesia yesterday led to tremors in various parts of India and triggered fears of tsunami. 8.5 magnitude undersea earthquake, with the epicentre at over 400 km off the northern Sumatra coast, struck at 2.08 PM Indian time sending tremors as far as Guwahati and Bangalore.

Within eight minutes, the Indian Tsunami Early Warning System issued alert for Nicobar islands which prompted evacuation of people from India's southernmost islands.

As panic struck the coastal regions, the central and state governments immediately initiated operations to meet any exigency. AIR correspondent reports that Tsunami warnings were later withdrawn and the people, who moved to safer places, returned to their homes.

Meanwhile in Mexico, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck sparsely populated mountains in western part of the country last night. People evacuated some buildings in the capital, but the city government said helicopter flights detected no signs of damage.