4.0-magnitude earthquake jolts Delhi, strong tremors rattle NCR

Delhi and its surrounding regions experienced strong tremors early this morning after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck the national capital.

The quake, which occurred at 5:36 am at a depth of five kilometers, caused alarm among residents, though no immediate reports of damage or injuries have surfaced.

According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located in New Delhi.

An official source revealed that the quake’s impact was most prominent near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, a region known to experience minor tremors every two to three years. The last recorded earthquake in this area was of 3.3 magnitude in 2015. Witnesses also reported hearing a loud sound at the time of the tremor.

Following the earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to urge citizens to remain calm and follow safety precautions. “Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Urging everyone to stay calm and take necessary precautions, while staying alert for possible aftershocks. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation,” he posted on X.

Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also acknowledged the tremor, expressing concern for the safety of residents. The Delhi Police reassured the public, saying, “We hope you all are safe, Delhi!” and encouraged citizens to call emergency helpline 112 in case of any crisis.

Many residents were startled by the strong tremors, with some rushing out of their homes in fear. A vendor at the New Delhi Railway Station described how "everything was shaking," causing panic among customers. Another passenger at the station remarked that the tremor felt like an underground train was running beneath them.

In Ghaziabad, a local resident described the earthquake as particularly intense, saying, “The entire building was shaking. I have never felt anything like this before.”

Delhi falls under seismic zone IV, a high-risk category on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zonation map, making it prone to earthquakes. The city has experienced multiple tremors in recent months. On January 23, strong shaking was felt across Delhi-NCR due to a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake in China’s Xinjiang region. Earlier, on January 11, mild tremors were recorded after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan.

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity in the region, urging residents to stay cautious and prepared for possible aftershocks.