Breaking News: 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Delhi-NCR, Tremors Felt Across North India
February 17, 2025
Delhi Wakes to Strong Tremors
A moderate 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) at 5:36 AM IST on Monday, February 17, 2025. The quake’s epicenter was near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan area, at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers . Residents reported intense shaking lasting 30–35 seconds, accompanied by a loud rumbling sound, triggering panic and evacuations across high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram .
Key Details
- Magnitude: 4.0 (Richter scale)
- Depth: 5 km (classified as a shallow earthquake)
- Epicenter: Lat: 28.59 N, Long: 77.16 E (near Dhaula Kuan, Delhi) .
- Timing: 5:36 AM IST.
- Affected Areas: Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and parts of North India.
Impact and Reactions
Despite the moderate magnitude, the shallow depth amplified ground vibrations, making tremors feel “violent” and “unprecedented” . Social media flooded with videos of swaying ceiling fans, shaking buildings, and residents rushing outdoors .
- Resident Accounts:
- Amit (Noida): “The entire building shook. We’ve never felt such strong tremors before” .
- Ghaziabad Resident: “It felt like the ground was collapsing” .
- New Delhi Railway Station Passenger: “Everything shook as if a train was speeding underground” .
No casualties or structural damage were reported, though the Delhi Police activated emergency helpline 112 for assistance .
Scientific Insights
- Shallow Depth: The quake’s proximity to the surface (5 km) intensified tremors and caused audible rumbling due to high-frequency seismic waves converting to sound .
- Seismic Zone IV: Delhi-NCR lies in a high-risk zone, prone to moderate-to-strong earthquakes due to its proximity to Himalayan tectonic activity and local fault lines .
- Historical Context: The region experiences minor quakes every 2–3 years. A 4.6 magnitude quake occurred nearby in 2007, but Monday’s event was the strongest since then .
Dr. OP Mishra, Director of the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), reassured that aftershocks, if any, would be 1.2 magnitudes weaker. He emphasized that Delhi’s faults are unlikely to generate quakes exceeding magnitude 6 .
Government Response
- PM Narendra Modi urged citizens to “stay calm, follow safety protocols, and remain alert for aftershocks” .
- Delhi CM Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal prayed for residents’ safety .
- Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with disaster response teams on standby .
Regional Context
Hours later, Bihar’s Siwan district experienced a 4.0 magnitude quake at 8:02 AM IST, though its deeper epicenter (10 km) caused milder tremors .
Why Delhi Felt It So Strongly?
- Shallow Epicenter: Energy release closer to the surface.
- Urban Infrastructure: High-rise buildings amplify vibrations.
- Local Faults: Hydro-fracturing in ancient aquifers beneath Delhi may trigger intraplate quakes .
Safety Reminder
Experts advise residents to:
- Drop, Cover, Hold during tremors.
- Avoid elevators and unstable furniture.
- Prepare emergency kits with essentials .
Conclusion
While Delhi’s seismic vulnerability remains a concern, Monday’s quake underscores the importance of earthquake-resistant infrastructure. As Dr. Mishra noted, adherence to building codes can mitigate future risks . Stay updated via the BhooKamp App by the National Centre for Seismology .
For live updates, follow trusted sources like NDTV, Hindustan Times, PMNews.in and The Hindu.