New Delhi, October 3, 2023 – A powerful earthquake in Delhi NCR has rattled the northern region of India, sending tremors through Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and beyond. This seismic event, with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale, has jolted the capital and raised concerns about the seismic risk in this densely populated area.
Earthquake Strikes Delhi NCR
The epicenter of this significant earthquake was located around 200 kilometers southeast of Joshimath in Uttarakhand, just 280 kilometers north of Lucknow. This seismic event occurred in two distinct phases. The first tremor, registering a magnitude of 4.7, struck at 2:25 pm, followed by a more powerful quake, measuring 6.2 in magnitude, at 2:51 pm. What made these quakes particularly concerning was their shallow depth, occurring just five kilometers below the Earth’s surface.
Impact in Northern India
The tremors from this earthquake in Delhi NCR were felt across several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, and Balrampur. Fortunately, no significant damage has been reported in these areas. In Uttarakhand, residents of Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital also experienced the tremors. Some residents in Haldwani and Udham Singh Nagar even rushed out of their homes and shops. However, the good news is that there have been no reports of structural damage in the state.
Impact on Delhi-NCR
Delhi-NCR, located in seismic zone IV, is susceptible to earthquakes. While the epicenter of this earthquake was in Nepal, it sent tremors through the region, causing people to hastily evacuate buildings. Thankfully, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage in the national capital. Authorities have issued advisories, urging residents to remain cautious and avoid using elevators during such seismic events.
Professor Subhadeep Banerjee, from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, has emphasized that Delhi and its environs are prone to seismic activity due to fault lines, including the Delhi-Moradabad, Mathura, and Sohna fault lines. This underscores the importance of constant vigilance and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.
In conclusion, the recent earthquake in Delhi NCR serves as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability of northern India. While the region has been fortunate to escape major damage on this occasion, it should serve as a wake-up call for residents and authorities to enhance earthquake preparedness and resilience.
For the latest updates on seismic activity, you can download the BhooKamp App provided by the National Centre for Seismology.
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