Panic in Assam's Golaghat over loud sound, officials blame sonic boom

People in Assam's Golaghat experienced a situation of panic after a loud sound was heard in several places in the district on May 9. 

The local administration stated that preliminary investigation suggested it emitted from a 'sonic boom'.

A sonic boom is a thunderous sound caused by the shock wave from an aircraft or other object travelling faster than the speed of sound.

The administration urged the public not to panic.

The loud sound was heard in Merapani, Sarupathar and several other places in the district at around 3.35 pm, the Golaghat district administration said on its official Facebook page.

Both the police and civil administration are actively investigating the source of the sound, it said.

“Judging from the intensity of the sound, it appears to have been caused by a sonic boom,” the administration said.