A quake of above 8.4 on the Richter scale is likely at any time, says Dr Janardhan Negi, scientist emeritus at NGRI. The Jothish mat-Uttarkashi region has been unusually quiet for over 50 years after a series of powerful quakes between 1897 and 1934. That is what is worrying Negi and his team. The scientist now says that this must be the `breathing time' the region is taking to build up stress to strike. ``It is going to be a big bang -- 8 plus,'' says Negi.

But what is worrisome is that the quake might be close to the controversial Tehri Dam.

Negi also points out that the Indian subcontinent has been banging against the Eurasianplate at 5 cm per year, ever since it separated from the African continent over 180 million years ago, and this adds to the strain.

Dr B K Rastogi, deputy director at NGRI, also says that a big quake might hit the Himalayan belt any time. It need not necessarily be at the same region of today's quake, but this is the area that a powerful earthquake is likely very soon.

What is even more strange is that the peninsular region has also started showing signs of waking up. ``Looks like eventful days are ahead,'' says Negi.

Despite north India sitting on a powder keg with a small fuse, the Government is still not bothered, points out the NGRI scientist. ``We had told the Government and the Department of Science and Technology that the area needs close monitoring by setting up a string of seismological stations to detect any unusual movements,'' says Negi.

The B K Rao Committee set up after the powerful Latur quake had also recommended strict monitoring of vulnerable and unstable belts. ``But till today, achief seismologist has not been appointed and there is no earthquake policy to speak of,'' points out Negi.

While Nepal and China have set up quake research institutes and put an earthquake policy in place, India is still waiting for a bigger catastrophe to strike. ``India seems to be specialising in a postmortem quake policy,'' says Negi.

On yesterday's quake, Negi says that it has striking similarities with the October 20, 1991 earthquake that struck the Uttarkashi region. In both the cases, the depth was 12 km and the intensity high.

The NGRI scientist who pioneered setting up of seismic huts in Madhya Pradesh to reduce loss to lives, says that simple and cost-effective strategies have to be worked out before North India has a violent earthquake in the near future.