Officials in New Zealand warns residents for more aftershocks following the major quake.
New Zealand was again rocked by magnitude 6.3 aftershock on Monday after the major tremor which was measure magnitude 7.8.
According to the reports, the strong aftershock rattled the country after 1:30 PM, local time on Monday, and its center was located at Cheviot.
As of press time, there are already almost 400 aftershocks which shook New Zealand over the last 24 hours.
The officials warned that there will be worst scenario where experiencing the strong aftershocks is noy yet over until midnight.
The powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has rocked the country prompted a tsunami warning and knocked out power and phone services in many parts of New Zealand.
Prime Minister John Key said at least two people were killed in the powerful quake.
Officials warned all people along the east coast of the country to transfer to higher ground as the waves began to roll in at five meters high.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the shallow quake hit 90km from the South Island city of Christchurch, which was also devastated by a 6.3 tremor, five years ago and killed 185 people.
The earthquake which struck at 12:02am local time on Monday was initially put at 7.4 but later upgraded to 7.8 (1102 GMT on Sunday).
It has a shallow epicenter located at only 10km deep and felt throughout most of the country.
Series of strong aftershocks followed the major one, and, there were reports of damaged buildings in the small rural township of Cheviot near the epicenter.
Civil Defense Organisation, in charge of the emergency management of New Zealand, said it was too early to assess the damage of the quake.
The Civil Defense called on people all along the east coast to evacuate to higher ground over fears of a tsunami, following the tsunami warning.
“The first wave activity may not be the most significant,” the organization said in a tsunami bulletin.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, however, said based on available data “a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected”.
In a brief message the Prime Minister John Key tweeted: “I hope everyone is safe after the earthquake tonight.”