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:

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.

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.