A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Uttarakhand late Tuesday nite, leading to strong tremors in Delhi-NCR and North India. Read full information and safety tips.
Strong earthquake tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and large parts of North India on Tuesday nite, leaving residents in panic. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) has officially said that at 10:23 PM, an earthquake of 4.9 magnitude in the Richter scale hit the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand. This quake was the main cause of the widespread shaking felt in several northern states.
The aftershocks were felt far beyond the epicenter, in all the districts of Uttarakhand. The tremors were distinctly felt in neighboring regions of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. The large impact radius meant many people in high-rise buildings throughout the National Capital Region felt substantial sway, causing temporary alarm.
Officials’ seismic readings confirmed that the earthquake had originated from below the earth’s surface and was exactly located at 22 kilometers from Khadun Laga Gawali in Uttarkashi. A 4.9 intensity is considered moderate on the Richter scale, but in this case, the depth and geological factors are what caused the tremors to be felt over such a large geographical area. “Local disaster management authorities are monitoring the situation but there are no immediate reports of serious structural damage confirmed.”
Safety experts and disaster response teams are urging citizens to adhere strictly to the established emergency protocols in the wake of the sudden tremors. If you are indoors when an earthquake occurs, the best thing to do is drop, cover and hold on. Drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down. Cover your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a heavy desk or table. Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Avoid glass windows, heavy doors and free-hanging ceiling light fittings such as chandeliers which could easily fall off. If you are in bed, stay there and use your pillow to protect your head and neck.
The police are strongly warning against trying to run outside when a building is still bouncing. Research shows that most earthquake injuries occur as people try to exit buildings and are struck by falling debris. Also, be ready for unexpected power outages or fire alarm activations. If you are outside when the shaking begins, the procedure is to immediately move to an open area, away from tall buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires and to remain in that open space until the ground stops moving.