Bhubaneswar, Aug. 24: Mild tremors were felt in several parts of the state, including the state capital, this evening triggering panic among residents.

Among other places in the state, tremors were felt in Cuttack, Khurda, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam and Dhenkanal districts.

"The earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit Myanmar. The tremors were felt in coastal districts at around 4.05pm. The intensity would be 2 or 3 on the Richter scale," said director of the regional meteorological centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu.

With last year's Nepal earthquake tragedy still fresh in people's minds, many residents of multi-storey buildings in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar rushed out of their houses in a state of panic.

"I was sitting on a chair when it suddenly started shaking. I realised that it was an earthquake and so ran out of my house," said Deepak Choudhury, a resident of Rasulgarh in Bhubaneswar.

However, there were no reports of any loss of life or property in the city.

"I had come to buy some electronic goods at Bharatiya tower when I saw people running out of the seven-storey building in a state of panic. Though I did not feel the tremors, I followed them. It is safer out in the open than trapped inside a building," said Umakant Panda, a resident of Cuttack.

Many people rushed out of buildings and waited in the open fearing aftershocks.

"I was working in my office when the table started shaking. I immediately rushed out," said Sitanshu Behera, a bank employee in Jajpur district.

The tremors were felt in the state capital amid rainfall.

The city today received rainfall of 21.8mm, while Paradip received 33mm. Baripada reported rainfall of 18mm.

"It has been raining since morning. We couldn't go out of the house most of the day. However, when we felt the tremors, it was frightening. We rushed out on to the streets. It has been a hard day," said Abhisek Jena, a resident of Nayapalli.

According to Met officials, the rainfall would continue till tomorrow and intensify from August 26.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places in the state between August 26 and August 29," said a Met official.