Mizoram was shaken again by an earthquake, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, on Friday. Reportedly, this is the 23rd earthquake to have jolted the state in the last five weeks.

Friday's quake occurred at 11.16 am and its epicentre was 29 kilometres southeast of Champhai district bordering Myanmar, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) informed.

Champhai Deputy Commissioner Maria CT Zuali informed the media that the earthquake and heavy rains triggered severe landslides at several places in the state.

"Two buildings have been vacated and the water supply pipeline to Dungtlang village was damaged due to landslides," reported Hindustan Times.

The district administration, however, was yet to ascertain the quantum of damage.

it may be mentioned here that out of fear of sudden quakes in the night, several people have set up makeshift tents and camps and they have been sleeping outside their houses.

The Champhai district administration has provided them tarpaulins, water tanks, solar lamps, first aid kits and eatables, officials informed.

Mizoram has been hit by a series of earthquakes since June 18, with Champhai district being the worst-affected.

Apart from Champhai district, earthquakes have also jolted several other areas including Saitual, Serchhip and Siaha districts.

Earlier on Friday, the newly-elected Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram K Vanlalvena called on the secretary at the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences M Rajeevan and requested him to send a team to the state.

Later, peaking to newsmen in New Delhi, Vanlalvena informed that he had requested the ministry to send seismologists to assess the cause of the frequent earthquakes in the state.

"The ministry has been taking earthquakes in Mizoram with all seriousness. The ministry assured that it would forward the matter to higher authorities," said Vanlalvena to the media.

It may be mentioned here that the entire northeast region is a highly earthquake-prone area.