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NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: A string of earthquakes jolted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands over a 12-hour period Sunday but there were no casualties. The tremors were also felt in southern and eastern India.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the first quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale took place at 00.56 am, followed by a second tremor measuring 5.3 on the scale at 04.14 am.

Two more quakes measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale were reported at 11 am and 11.56 am.

The tremors were also felt in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, where residents ran out of their homes in the capital Bhubaneswar in panic.

The IMD official said no damage to life and property was reported.

The epicenter of the earthquake was at 160 km west of Nicobar Islands at a depth of 35 km, an official in Chennai said.

The Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued a 'Tsunami Watch' after the quake. It was withdrawn later.

'Tsunami Watch' is a mild warning that does not necessitate evacuating the people.