New Delhi:

A strong earthquake of magnitude 4.0 hit Delhi this morning and the tremors were felt in several adjoining areas of the national capital. According to the National Centre of Seismology, the quake hit at a depth of about 5 km. While there have been no casualties or injuries, residents reported a loud sound for a few seconds when the earthquake hit Delhi.

What was the loud sound?

The loud grumbling sounds during the tremors usually occur during a shallow-focus earthquake. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), high-frequency vibrations from shallow earthquakes generate a booming sound as the ground vibrates and creates a short-period seismic wave motion that reaches the air and becomes sound waves. The shallower the epicentre, the more energy and sound can be produced.

Sometimes earthquakes can create booming sounds even when no vibrations are felt.

Also Read | Video Shows Moment 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hit Delhi-NCR

Why Delhi is prone to earthquakes

Delhi is located in the Seismic Zone IV which has fairly high seismicity, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. In this zone, earthquakes generally occur in the range of 5-6 magnitude, and even 7-8 occasionally. The zoning, however, is a continuous process that keeps changing.

Seismicity in North India, including the Himalayas, is due to the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate. These colliding plates flex, and store energy like a spring, and when the plate’s margin finally slips to release energy, an earthquake results.

Generally, shallow earthquakes, originating five or 10 kilometres below the surface, tend to cause more damage than those originating deep below the surface. The Dhuala Kuan area – the epicentre of today’s quake – has been experiencing smaller, low-magnitude earthquakes once every two to three years. It had recorded an earthquake of 3.3 magnitude in 2015.

Residents recount earthquake tremors

The earthquake tremors woke the national capital up on Monday morning, with residents describing the moment as “one of the most insane earthquakes”. Several videos also showed the moment the earthquake hit the national capital. CCTV footage from the terrace camera of a house in Delhi showed tank pipes and wires moving with heavy intensity.

A passenger waiting for his train at the New Delhi Railway station described the tremors as a “bridge collapse”. “I was in the waiting lounge. All rushed out from there. It felt as if any bridge or something had collapsed,” he said.

Another resident said, “Tremors were so strong. Felt like a train was moving nearby. Everything was shaking. I have never felt like this ever before. The entire building was shaking.”

Shortly after the quake, the Delhi police urged citizens to call the emergency 112 helpline for emergencies. “We hope you all are safe, Delhi,” they wrote on X.

New Delhi:

A strong earthquake hit Delhi early this morning and the tremors were felt across north India. Residents rushed out of their houses as per the protocol, claiming they had never felt an earthquake as strong in the past. The quake was of 4.0 magnitude and it hit at a depth of about 5 km, according to an update from the National Centre of Seismology, the centre’s nodal agency that tracks earthquake activity.

The epicentre was in Delhi, near the Durgabhai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, suggest reports. It sparked panic and forced the residents of high-rise buildings in the neighbouring cities of Noida and Ghaziabad to evacuate as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon appealed to the residents to stay calm and follow the safety protocols. Stating the authorities are keeping a close watch, he said online that the residents must stay alert for possible aftershocks.

Read: “Never Felt Like This”: Delhi Residents On Strong Earthquake Tremors

Several residents claimed they were panicked seeing the buildings shaking while a passenger at a railway station said he felt that a train was running underground.

Such earthquakes are not unusual in Delhi due to its geographic location. The city has been rocked by frequent such tremors in the past – in 2020, at least three earthquakes above 3.0 magnitude hit the national capital, followed by a dozen aftershocks.

Delhi is located in the Seismic Zone 4 which has a higher risk of earthquakes, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. This zone has a fairly high seismicity where earthquakes generally occur in the range of 5-6 magnitude, and even 7-8 occasionally. The zoning, however, is a continuous process that keeps changing.

Read: “Stay Alert For Possible Aftershocks”: PM Modi On Delhi Earthquake

Since 1720, the city has been rocked by at least five earthquakes above 5.5 magnitude on the Richter scale, reports suggest.

The earth’s crust – the thin outermost layer – is made of large and solid slabs of rock known as tectonic plates. There are about seven major and minor such plates. These plates move very slowly, causing deformations that lead to earthquakes.

In North India, including the Himalayas, the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate contributes to seismicity or the frequency of earthquakes. These plates store energy like a spring and when they slip above one another, it releases the energy and results in an earthquake.

Besides being in Seismic Zone IV, a SWOT analysis by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has found that the national capital also faces threats due to the high number of non-earthquake resilient buildings, high population density, unplanned and unsafe structures and co

New Delhi:

Residents of Delhi-NCR felt a strong earthquake this morning. According to the National Center for Seismology, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck the national capital around 5:36 am.

In a post on X, the Delhi Police said, “We hope you all are safe, Delhi!” It also urged citizens to call on the emergency 112 helpline for emergencies.  Follow Delhi Earthquake Live Updates here

What To Do Before An Earthquake

One must always have a disaster emergency kit ready. Which includes:

• Battery operated torch with extra batteries
• Battery operated radio
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)
• Candles and matches in a waterproof container
• Knife
• Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
• Can opener.
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Thick ropes and cords
• Sturdy shoes

What To Do During An Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimise your movements to a few steps that reach a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If Indoors

Drop to the ground; take a cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and hold on until the shaking stops. If there is no table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.

Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture).

Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.

Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If Outdoors

Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.

If you are in open space, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings; at exits; and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If In A Moving Vehicle

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If Trapped Under Debris

Do not light a match.

Do not move about or kick up dust.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Delhi is prone to earthquakes as it is located in a high seismic zone (zone IV) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zonation map.

New Delhi:

After a strong earthquake struck Delhi and its adjoining areas early this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the residents to “stay calm and follow the safety precautions”.

PM Modi assured people that the officials are keeping a close watch on the situation. He posted on X:

Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Urging everyone to stay calm and follow safety precautions, staying alert for possible aftershocks. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2025

According to the National Centre for Seismology, the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck the national capital around 5:36 am.

An official told the news agency PTI, that the epicentre was near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, Delhi.

The official also added that a loud sound was heard when the earthquake hit Delhi.

In a post on X, the Delhi Police said, “We hope you all are safe, Delhi!” It also urged citizens to call on the emergency 112 helpline for emergencies.

The strong tremors triggered by the earthquake prompted residents of several high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad to rush out.

Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said a “strong earthquake just hit” Delhi and prayed that everyone was safe.

दिल्ली में अभी एक ज़ोर का भूकंप आया। भगवान से प्रार्थना करती हूँ कि सब सुरक्षित होंगे। https://t.co/rOU2x0Odtk

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 17, 2025

So far, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties.

New Delhi:

An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the richter scale hit Delhi-NCR this morning with many residents rushing out of their houses. According to National Centre for Seismology, tremors were felt across north India, with Delhi as the epicentre. The depth of the quake was just 5 km.

So far there are no reports of injuries or casualties.

In a post on X, The Delhi Police said, “We hope you all are safe, Delhi!” It also urged citizens to call on the emergency 112 helpline for emergencies.

The strong tremors triggered by the earthquake prompted residents of several high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad to rush out.

A passenger awaiting his train at New Delhi railway station said he felt like as if a train has crashed or a bridge collapsed. “I was in the waiting lounge. All rushed out from there. It felt as if any bridge or something had collapsed…”, he said while speaking to the news agency ANI. Follow Delhi Earthquake Live Updates here

A resident of Ghaziabad said he has never felt anything like this before. “Tremors were so strong. Felt like a train was moving nearby. Everything was shaking. I have never felt like this ever before. The entire building was shaking…”, he said.

Naresh Kumar, a resident of West Delhi, said this was the first time that he had experienced such a strong tremor.

Another passenger waiting for his train at New Delhi railway station says, “It was for a lesser time, but the intensity was so high. It felt like any train has come with a very high speed.”

At New Delhi railway station, a vendor Anish said his payment counter started shaking, everybody around was screaming. “It was strong, the payment counter also started shaking. Everything was shaking, customers started screaming.”

Delhi is prone to earthquakes and is located in a high seismic zone (zone IV) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zonation map.

New Delhi:

Strong tremors were felt in Delhi and its adjoining areas at 5:36 am today after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck the national capital.

The National Centre for Seismology, the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country, said in an update that tremors were felt across north India, with Delhi as the epicentre. The quake’s depth was just 5 km.

EQ of M: 4.0, On: 17/02/2025 05:36:55 IST, Lat: 28.59 N, Long: 77.16 E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: New Delhi, Delhi.
For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/yG6inf3UnK

— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) February 17, 2025

So far, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties.

“Everything Was Shaking”: Residents On Delhi Earthquake

A vendor at the New Delhi Railway Station said that “everything was shaking”.

“Customers started screaming,” he told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 jolts the national capital and surrounding areas | At New Delhi railway station, a vendor Anish says, “Everything was shaking…customers started screaming…” pic.twitter.com/cSgt2BZaS5

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025

A passenger waiting for his train at the station said it felt like a train was “running here underground”.

A resident of Ghaziabad said the tremors were “so strong” and that he had “never felt like this before”.

“The entire building was shaking,” he said.

On January 23, strong tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck China’s Xinjiang at a depth of 80 kilometres.

Two weeks before that, mild tremors were last felt in Delhi and NCR on January 11 after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan.

Delhi is prone to earthquakes and is located in a high seismic zone (zone IV) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zonation map.

Delhi and its neighbouring cities were jolted on Sunday afternoon when a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck Faridabad in Haryana.

The earthquake struck at around 4:08 pm, said the National Centre for Seismology.

Videos showed terrified residents fleeing their homes.  

New Delhi:

The 6.2 intensity earthquake that hit Nepal this afternoon has left behind a trail of massive destruction, bringing back horrifying flashbacks of the 7.8-magnitude quake that hit capital city Kathmandu in 2015.

Several buildings in the Bajhang district, in west Nepal close to Uttarakhand, have suffered major damages. Homes have collapsed, parts of buildings have crumbled and several more developed dangerous cracks fom the impact of the quake that struck at a depth of just five km. Massive cracks exposed the structural frames of several buildings.

Two successive earthquakes, measuring 5.3 and 6.3, hit western Nepal this afternoon. There are no reports of casualties so far.

According to a report in the Kathmandu Post, the first earthquake measuring 5.3 magnitude was recorded at 2:40 pm, which was followed by another of 6.3 magnitude at 3:06 pm in the Bajhang district.

Tremors from the quakes were felt not just in the country but also in Delhi and its adjoining areas. People were seen running out of buildings in the national capital, Gurgaon and in Noida.

Nepal falls in one of the most active tectonic zones of the world, making it extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2015, a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake hit Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and wounding another 22,000. Over 800,000 houses and school buildings were damaged.

The epicentre for the strongest earthquake was 206 km southeast of the pilgrimage town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand and 284 north of Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow. Photo: USGS

Four earthquakes, the strongest being of magnitude 6.2, jolted Nepal in quick succession with tremors reverberating through parts of north India including Delhi-NCR, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said on October 3.

An NCS official said the first quake of magnitude 4.6 struck west Nepal at a depth of 10 kilometres at 2:25 p.m., followed by the 6.2 magnitude jolt at 2:51 p.m.

Two more quakes (magnitude 3.6 and 3.1) hit the same region at a depth of 15 km and 10 km at 3:06 p.m. and 3:19 p.m., respectively.

The epicentre for the strongest quake was 206 km southeast of the pilgrimage town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand and 284 north of Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow.

People in Delhi and the National Capital Region reported strong tremors after the second quake and rushed out of their offices and high-rise residential buildings. The Delhi Police urged them not to panic.

“We hope you all are safe. Please come out of your buildings to a safe spot, but do not panic. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS! For any emergency help, dial 112,” it said in a post on X.

Tremors were felt in Chandigarh, Jaipur and other parts of north India as well. The Police control room in the pink city said there was no information yet about losses.

Nepal lies in one of the most active tectonic zones (seismic zone IV and V) of the world, making the country extremely vulnerable to earthquakes.

According to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, 2015, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring over 21,000.

New Delhi:

Massive tremors were felt in Delhi today after two earthquakes in Nepal – one of magnitude 4.6 and the other of 6.2 – at a depth of 5 km. The first earthquake hit Nepal at 2:25 pm before being hit by the second at 2:51 pm. 

“Earthquake of Magnitude: 6.2, Occurred on 03-10-2023, 14:51:04 IST, Lat: 29.39 & Long: 81.23, Depth: 5 Km ,Location: Nepal,” the National Centre for Seismology said in a statement. 

Earthquake of Magnitude:6.2, Occurred on 03-10-2023, 14:51:04 IST, Lat: 29.39 & Long: 81.23, Depth: 5 Km ,Location:Nepal for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/rBpZF2ctJG@ndmaindia@KirenRijiju@Indiametdept@Dr_Mishra1966@Ravi_MoESpic.twitter.com/tOduckF0B9

— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) October 3, 2023

The earthquake was felt in Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). There are reports that tremors were felt in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, Hapur, and Amroha as well. Parts of Uttarakhand also experienced tremors following the back-to-back earthquakes in Nepal. 

As soon as the tremors were felt in the national capital, videos of people evacuating buildings flooded social media.

More details awaited.