Guwahati, Sep 8 (IANS) The Assam government is likely to ask New Delhi to form a core group of experts to verify any future predictions or warnings on disaster made by individuals before it is made public.

"We shall definitely apprise the Indian government to make sure that any forecasts or warnings made by individuals be first scrutinised by some experts before such reports are made public to avoid unnecessary panic," Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam health minister and government spokesman, told journalists.

The government's move follows predictions by N. Venkatanathan, a geologist of the Department of Applied Geology of Madras University, that there was 70 percent chance of a 7-8 magnitude earthquake hitting Assam around 8.21 a.m. Friday. The forecast pinpointed its epicentre about 15 km southwest of Dibrugarh, about 500 km east of Guwahati.

"You cannot ignore a warning although we all know the predictions did not have any scientific basis," the minister said.

"I am not trying to undermine the scientist who predicted the earthquake, but then there has to be some checks and balances before releasing such a sensitive report."

Venkatanathan had said his alert was not an official warning but flowed out of his theory based on geo-astrophysical calculations that he had successfully tested for several years.

Locals in Assam, though relieved that there was no quake, are now angry after the predictions proved wrong.

"This is crazy whoever predicted such a thing," said Munindra Bhuyan, a government official. "He (the geologist) took the people of Assam for a tortuous panic ride."

Experts across the country debunked the pinpointed prediction made by Venkatanathan. "This is absolutely absurd to predict such a thing when we all know there is no scientific evidence as yet of accurately forecasting an earthquake. The predictions did more harm then good," said S. Sharma, a geologist in Guwahati.

The warning had sent the people of Assam into a tizzy with thousands taking to the streets since early Friday.

"There is bound to be panic. When you hear such a report you cannot sit tight at home," said Arun Sharma, a retired police officer. The Assam government Thursday sounded a maximum alert after the prediction.

As the appointed time for the quake passed, people embraced each other and cheered with a sense of jubilation.