Delhi Earthquake: Strong tremors shake Delhi NCR, panicked people rush out of buildings, impact felt in Punjab, Jammu as well
Delhi Earthquake: On Friday night, strong tremors were experienced in North India, including Delhi-NCR. Around 9:40 PM (IST), while people were relaxing in their homes, fans, chandeliers, and windows suddenly began to sway. The tremors were felt with such intensity and for such a prolonged duration (approximately 15–20 seconds) that, gripped by fear, people rushed with their children toward safer locations.
The epicenter of the earthquake was the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake also struck along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.
An atmosphere of panic and chaos was witnessed across the region—from Delhi's upscale neighborhoods to the high-rise residential societies of Noida and Gurugram. Instead of using elevators, people were seen rushing down staircases to evacuate. In several places, people shared videos on social media showing household items shaking violently.
Impact felt in Punjab and Jammu as well
Beyond Delhi-NCR, tremors were felt in numerous parts of North India, including Chandigarh. In various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the shaking ground prompted people to rush out of their homes and offices. Earthquake tremors were specifically felt in Udhampur and Poonch in the Jammu region, as well as in several areas across the Kashmir Valley. Although the tremors lasted only for a few seconds, their intensity was such that people panicked and fled to safety.
Police and disaster management teams on high alert
A resident of a housing society in Noida recounted that the tremor was so strong that his bed began to shake. "We immediately realized that this was a major earthquake, and without a moment's delay, we rushed downstairs," he said. Currently, there are no reports of any major loss of life or property from the Delhi-NCR region; however, reports are emerging from hilly areas and the Kashmir Valley regarding cracks appearing in some older buildings. As a precautionary measure, the administration has placed police and disaster management teams on high alert.
Possibility of 'aftershocks' persists
Experts state that the possibility of 'aftershocks' persists following an earthquake; therefore, people have been advised to remain vigilant. Delhi and its surrounding areas fall under Seismic Zone-4, which is considered highly sensitive to seismic activity. Over the past few months, there has been an increase in the frequency of earthquakes—both minor and major—across North India, a trend that has heightened the concerns of geologists.