With quake aftershocks continuing to rattle Junagadh, residents are experiencing a jittery Diwali. On Wednesday, as many as nine earthquake aftershocks were reported from the Sasan Gir area in the district.

According to Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar, the tremors had a magnitude of 0.8 to 1.7 on the Richter scale. All nine aftershocks were reported 10-13 km south-east of Sasan Gir.

People are still spending sleepless nights in Junagadh region, which had experienced an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale on October 20. "Even a small tremor is scaring us these days. People rush out of their homes the moment they feel the earth shaking. However, people here now know that these are aftershocks and not earthquake,'' said Mensi Sariya, a resident of Talala town in Junagadh district.

The epicentre of the October 20 quake was 20 km south-east of Sasan Gir near Vanthli town. The worst-affected areas were Maliya-Hatina and Talala taluka in Junagadh district.

According to ISR officials, 167 aftershocks have been felt in the state, mostly in Junagadh district, after October 20.

"People are aware that aftershocks occur after a quake. But still panic grips all," said Khodabhai Patel a resident of Maliya Hatina.