Delhi NCR Earthquake: Residents in Delhi and surrounding NCR areas were jolted awake by strong tremors on Thursday morning as an earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck with its epicentre in Haryana’s Jhajjar district. The quake occurred at 9:04 AM and was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the National Center for Seismology.
The tremors, though brief, were powerful enough to be felt across the national capital, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. In several neighbourhoods of Delhi, people rushed out of homes in panic after household items like ceiling fans and furniture began to shake. Similar scenes were reported from corporate offices in Noida and Gurugram, where employees were seen evacuating buildings as computer screens wobbled and chairs moved.
The impact of the quake extended as far as western Uttar Pradesh, with reports of tremors from cities like Meerut and Shamli, nearly 200 km from the epicentre.
No casualties or structural damage have been reported so far, but the incident triggered a wave of social media posts, with users describing the tremors as “sudden but intense.” Many expressed concern over the duration of the quake and the frequency of such incidents in recent months.
Delhi, which lies in Seismic Zone IV, is considered a high-risk area for earthquakes. According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, the city’s vulnerability stems from its proximity to the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, a significant geological fault line. Earthquakes in the region usually fall in the 5-6 magnitude range, but experts warn that a stronger quake, up to 7 or 8 magnitude, cannot be ruled out.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, and to review safety protocols in light of the region’s recurring seismic activity.
