Significant tremors were experienced in Delhi and various regions of the National Capital Region (NCR) following an earthquake that occurred in Jhajjar district of Haryana. The quake was estimated to have a magnitude of approximately 4.4 on the Richter scale, which is used to quantify the strength of earthquakes. The National Institute of Seismology reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km.
In multiple locations across Delhi, residents evacuated their homes as fans and other household items began to sway following the quake, which struck at 9:04 am. The tremors were also perceived in business districts in Noida and Gurugram, where computer systems trembled and some employees exited their offices. In Haryana, tremors were felt in Gurugram, Rohtak, Dadri, and Bahadurgarh. Additionally, tremors were reported as far away as Meerut and Shamli in western Uttar Pradesh, approximately 200 km from the earthquake’s epicenter in Jhajjar.
Individuals took to social media to share their experiences regarding the earthquake and their reactions to it, with many emphasizing the duration of the tremors. Immediately after the earthquake occurred, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) issued an advisory. It urged individuals not to panic, to avoid rushing outside, and to use the stairs if they must exit. Additionally, the NDRF provided guidance for those who were driving during the quake: they should pull over to a clear area.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Delhi due to its geographical positioning. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority states that the seismic activity in northern India, including the Himalayas, results from the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate. The DDMA elaborates, “These colliding plates flex, storing energy like a spring, and when the margins of the plates eventually slip to release this energy, an earthquake occurs.” Delhi is situated in Seismic Zone 4, which presents a heightened risk of earthquakes. The national capital is in proximity to several active fault lines, such as the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, the Sohna Fault, the Delhi-Moradabad Fault, and the Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault.
