On Wednesday morning, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Telangana's Mulugu district, causing tremors that were felt in Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 7:27 a.m., prompting panic among residents.
According to the NCS, the earthquake originated at a depth of 40 kilometers beneath the Mulugu region. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant property damage. Authorities are currently monitoring the situation, and experts have advised the public to remain vigilant, avoiding crowded or structurally weak buildings during any aftershocks.
Rare Seismic Event for Telangana
Telangana is not typically prone to seismic activity, making this earthquake an unusual occurrence. India is divided into four seismic zones: Zone II (lowest seismicity), Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V (highest seismicity). Telangana falls under Zone II, characterized by low seismic risk.
India’s overall seismic distribution shows that approximately 11% of the land is in Zone V, 18% in Zone IV, 30% in Zone III, and the remaining 41% in Zone II. Despite being in a low-risk zone, Wednesday’s earthquake surprised many residents, as it was one of the strongest in the region in two decades.
An X (formerly Twitter) user, Telangana Weatherman, remarked, “For the first time in the last 20 years, one of the strongest earthquakes occurred in Telangana, with a 5.3 magnitude quake centered in Mulugu. The entire state, including Hyderabad, felt the tremors.”
Widespread Impact Reported
Residents in several areas, including Warangal, Bhadrachalam, Godavarikhani, Khammam, Vijayawada, Bhupalpally, Chandanagar, and Nallagandla, reported experiencing the tremors for a few seconds. Many took to social media to share their experiences, noting the rarity of such an event in the region.
Other Recent Earthquakes in India
Telangana's earthquake is part of a recent spate of seismic activity across India:
Assam's Karbi Anglong: A 2.9-magnitude earthquake struck Assam's Karbi Anglong region during the early hours of November 30. The tremor occurred at 2:40 a.m. at a depth of 25 kilometers, according to NCS data.
Jammu and Kashmir: On November 28, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Jammu and Kashmir at 4:19 p.m. The quake’s epicenter was located in Afghanistan at a depth of 165 kilometers. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage were reported.
The 5.3-magnitude earthquake in Telangana serves as a reminder that even regions categorized as low-risk can experience seismic events. While there were no reports of serious damage, the tremor highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness across all regions. Residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions during such occurrences.
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