Within a span of just 18 days, another spate of tremors sent waves of fear across the state forcing people to leave their houses Tuesday afternoon. Fresh tremors with magnitude of 7.4 on Richter scale left around six dead and more than 36 injured in Bihar. Though the officially declared death toll remained six till evening but according to sources around 16 persons died in earthquake on Tuesday, they said several deaths occurred due to shock and heart attack. When officials were asked to confirm this report they said they were trying to obtain figures from the districts. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who was scheduled to convene several meetings postponed it for another time and instead issued directives for the officials to rush to their respective districts to take stalk of the situation. Information available with this newspaper clearly shows that around three persons died in Patna due to earthquake. Sources from districts of Bihar informed that three persons died in Patna, one each in Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Vaishali, Sheikhpura, Purnia, Siwan, Muzafarpur while three persons reportedly died in Darbhanga and 2 in Madhepura. “Officials are taking rounds in their districts and they have been directed to pay the prescribed compensation of `4 lakh each to the kin of deceased and prepare a detailed report of damages caused by tremors which were felt in Bihar. I also urge people to remain alert and vigilant as there are chances of aftershocks,” Mr Kumar said. Warnings were issued by officials of met department to remain alert for another 48 hours as tremors and aftershocks are likely to be felt. According to state disaster management department, there were reports of damages to houses in Jehanabad, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Gaya and some parts of Champaran district which lies on the borders of Nepal. “Officials are assessing the damages done in the affected areas, our hospitals have been put on high alert and we are prepared to take care of our people here. Apart from this officials have also been asked to prepare all the parks and open spaces for those people who in situation of tremors or aftershock can go and take shelter there”, principal secretary disaster management Vyasji said. The CM and several senior officials later visited all the parks in Patna to meet people who had come out of their houses in fear of aftershocks.