A series of powerful earthquakes originating in Nepal sent shockwaves through the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of northern India on Tuesday afternoon. The strongest of these quakes measured 6.2 on the Richter Scale, leaving residents shaken and concerned.
Within the span of less than an hour, these seismic events unfolded. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the initial earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.6, struck western Nepal at a depth of 10 kilometers at 2:25 pm. This was followed by a substantial jolt, measuring 6.2 in magnitude, at 2:51 pm. Subsequently, two more earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 3.6 and 3.1, hit the same region at depths of 15 kilometers and 10 kilometers at 3:06 pm and 3:19 pm, respectively. The tremors persisted for nearly a minute.
The epicenter of the most potent earthquake was located 206 kilometers southeast of the pilgrimage town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand and 284 kilometers north of the Uttar Pradesh capital, Lucknow.
The impact of these earthquakes extended beyond Nepal's borders. Following the second earthquake, residents in Delhi-NCR reported significant tremors, prompting evacuations from offices and tall residential buildings. The Delhi Police issued an appeal for calm, advising people not to panic and to avoid using elevators. In case of emergencies, they urged individuals to dial 112 for assistance.
Reports of tremors also came in from Chandigarh, Jaipur, and various other parts of northern India. The police control room in Jaipur reported no immediate information regarding losses or damage.
Nepal's geographic location places it within one of the world's most active tectonic zones, categorized as seismic zone IV and V. This vulnerability makes the country highly susceptible to earthquakes.
In a grim reminder of this susceptibility, Nepal experienced a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015, as noted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States. This catastrophic event resulted in the tragic loss of more than 8,000 lives and caused injuries to over 21,000 individuals.