Earthquake Tremors Felt In Delhi And NCR; Eyewitnesses Share Their 'Scary' Experience

Strong earthquake tremors were felt in national capital Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday.

Earthquake In Delhi

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake hit at around 9:04 AM, with the epicentre in Haryana's Jhajjar, the National Centre for Seismology said. It was located 10 kilometres below the Earth's surface.

Also, tremors were felt in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. The earthquake prompted a flurry of activity on social media, with many users describing the tremors as prolonged and intense enough to cause fear, leading some to seek shelter in unusual places like cupboards.

The event also sparked a wave of internet memes. Eyewitness accounts further highlighted the unsettling nature of the quake; one individual in Ghaziabad likened the sensation to someone violently shaking the shop they were in, while another told ANI that their vehicle shook, emphasising the quake's perceived strength and frightening impact.

Eyewitnesses Recount Scary Experience

"We felt the tremors...It was really scary, my vehicle shook. It was really strong," ANI quoted an eyewitness as saying.A man in Gurugram, Haryana says, "We were sitting here and having tea when I suddenly felt strong earthquakes. I told everyone to rush out of the building. Everyone rushed out..."

A man in Ghaziabad, UP says, "...I had woken up just at the time when there was a jolt. I was scared. There was another earthquake just a few days ago. Delhi-NCR experiences earthquakes quite often. So, we should be mindful of safety and precautions..."

Rajbala in Jhajjar said that she was sitting on her terrace, busy with cleaning when everything started shaking vigorously. "I had never felt such an earthquake before..." she stated. Another man in Ghaziabad said, "A man in Ghaziabad, UP says, "...I had woken up just at the time when there was a jolt. I was scared. There was another earthquake just a few days ago. Delhi-NCR experiences earthquakes quite often. So, we should be mindful of safety and precautions..."

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) issued an advisory, urging the public to remain calm and avoid rushing outdoors, particularly down stairs. For those driving, the NDRF recommended pulling over to an open area.

Delhi's geological position makes it particularly susceptible to earthquakes. Situated in Seismic Zone 4, the national capital is at a heightened risk due to its proximity to active fault lines such as the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, the Sohna Fault, the Delhi-Moradabad Fault, and the Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault.

Historically, Delhi has experienced significant seismic activity, with reports indicating at least five earthquakes exceeding 5.5 magnitude on the Richter scale since 1720.