The Magnitude and Epicentre. The earthquake was said to have occurred at around 10:42 AM IST (National Center for Seismology (NCS)). The seismic impact was also noted, as 4.4 from the Richter Scale perspective. The epicentre was observed in the city limits too, at 10 kilometers depth in the North Delhi area near Civil Lines.
Since it was shallow and the epicentre was located directly below the urban core, the vibrations were intense as compared to the larger magnitude quakes that normally emanate from the Hindu Kush or Himalayan ranges. Impact on the Ground. There were tremors in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
Witnesses at locations including Rohini, Model Town and the Delhi University North Campus reported that ceiling fans were shaking and furniture was moving. Evacuations: As an emergency precaution, numerous private offices and government buildings in Central Delhi had been temporarily evacuated.
Infrastructure
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) suspended trains (all services) to conduct routine safety check. These have been stopped and resumed within 15 mins at a slightly slower pace. Casualties: Nothing serious and no loss of life as of 11:30 AM, however, though part of Old Delhi walled city, the agency said, with some old structures reportedly reported to be cracked.
Expert Warnings
Seismologists have warned that Delhi situates in multiple active fault lines including the Sohna fault and Mathura fault. While a 4.4 magnitude quake is classified as moderate, experts say that residents should be on the lookout for potential aftershocks in the coming 24 to 48 hours. “The quake today is a warning to Delhi in that it’s vulnerable to local seismic action,” replied one senior official from the NCS. “We encourage citizens to adopt ‘Drop, Cover and Hold on’ practices against these scenarios in the event.”
