YANGON- A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 Richter Scale struck near 10-mile north-northeast of Mohnyin, Kachin State, yesterday morning, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology(DMH).

No damages or injuries have been reported.

“A magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit about 10 miles of north-east of Mohnyin Township. It is near the Sagaing fault. People in Mohnyin Township slightly felt it,” said Dr Kyaw Moe Oo, DMH’s Director General.

“The earthquake hit near Mohnyin near proximity to Sagaing fault. The DMH announced that the earthquake struck at the western confluence of the river[Myitsone dam]. The Sagaing fault has been the source of major quakes in the past, rupturing at Takaung in 1946 and in 1991. Around this year, there have been three or four times earthquakes. There were no casualty records in the past earthquake. But, the Takaung earthquakes caused damaged to many farmland acres,” Dr Myo Thant from Myanmar Earthquake Committee.

He also said that all existing buildings in Yangon should be properly checked for structural integrity.

The Myanmar Earthquake Committee issued a warning in 2016 saying that if a strong enough earthquake would hit Myitkyina, Takaung, Thabeikgyin,, Sagaing, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Taungoo, Phyu and Bago Townships - all situated along the Sagaing fault, there would be huge dangers.

Similarly, Yangon Region is also at risk for severe damages.

Dr Myo Thant also said that the Sagaing fault is the major cause of worry. A sizable earthqauke has been estimated to occur again after 80 years and when it eventually occurs, some regions including Yangon could be affected.