NEW DELHI: North India experienced two back-to-back earthquakes early Monday morning, first in Delhi-NCR at around 5:30 am, followed by another tremor in Bihar at 8:00 am.
The tremors prompted residents of high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad to rush out of their homes in panic. Officials confirmed that the earthquake in Delhi occurred at 5:36 am, with its epicenter near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, at a depth of five kilometers. Fortunately, no immediate reports of damage or injuries were recorded.
Experts noted that the Delhi region experiences minor seismic activity every two to three years, with a previous 3.3 magnitude earthquake recorded in 2015. Several residents also reported hearing a loud sound accompanying the tremor.
PM Modi Urges Citizens to Stay Calm
Reacting to the tremors in the national capital and nearby areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to remain calm and take necessary precautions.
“Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Urging everyone to stay calm and follow safety precautions, staying alert for possible aftershocks. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation,” he posted on X.
Recent Seismic Activity in Delhi-NCR
This earthquake follows a series of tremors felt in Delhi-NCR in recent weeks:
- January 23: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Xinjiang, China, at a depth of 80 km caused strong tremors in the region.
- January 11: A 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan resulted in mild tremors.
- May 2020: A 4.4-magnitude earthquake near Rohtak was followed by multiple aftershocks.
- April-May 2020: Tremors of 3.5 and 3.4 magnitude were recorded in northeast Delhi.
Delhi, located 250 km from the seismically active Himalayan collision zone, frequently experiences seismic activity from both Himalayan and local sources. It falls under Seismic Zone IV, indicating a moderate to high risk from earthquakes.
Eyewitness Accounts: “Everything Was Shaking”
At New Delhi Railway Station, a vendor named Anish recalled the moment of impact:
“Everything was shaking, and customers started screaming.”
A passenger at the station added, “I was in the waiting lounge when everyone rushed out. It felt like a bridge had collapsed.”
Amit, a resident of Noida, described the terrifying experience:
“At 5:35 am, the whole building was shaking. Our family ran outside. I have never felt such strong tremors. We are all safe.”
With earthquakes becoming increasingly frequent in the region, authorities continue to emphasize the need for preparedness and safety awareness.
