New Delhi, July 10 — Strong tremors were felt across Delhi and several parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday morning after an earthquake struck Jhajjar district in Haryana. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the earthquake had a magnitude of 4.4 and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers at 9:04 am.
The quake caused noticeable shaking in parts of Delhi, prompting many residents to rush outdoors after feeling fans and household items sway. Office workers in Noida and Gurugram also reported tremors, with some evacuating buildings as computer screens and office equipment shook.
In Haryana, the tremors were experienced in Gurugram, Rohtak, Dadri, and Bahadurgarh. Mild shaking was also reported in Meerut and Shamli in western Uttar Pradesh, roughly 200 kilometers from the epicenter.
Following the quake, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) issued an advisory urging people to remain calm and avoid panic. The public was advised to use stairs instead of elevators when evacuating buildings and, for those driving during a quake, to safely pull over to an open area.
Delhi’s High Seismic Risk
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Delhi due to its geographical and tectonic setting. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) explains that seismic activity in northern India — including the Himalayas — is driven by the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The pressure from these converging plates builds up over time and is eventually released as an earthquake.
Delhi falls within Seismic Zone IV, a classification that indicates a high risk of seismic activity. The region is situated near several active fault lines, including the:
- Delhi-Haridwar Ridge
- Sohna Fault
- Delhi-Moradabad Fault
- Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault
Historical data shows that since 1720, Delhi has experienced at least five earthquakes exceeding 5.5 in magnitude, underlining the importance of preparedness and awareness in the capital.
Social media platforms quickly lit up with posts from residents describing the quake, with many remarking on how prolonged the tremors felt.
So far, no reports of damage or casualties have been confirmed.