Panic in Delhi NCR as 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts high-rises; experts warn of rising risk

Residents of Delhi NCR and parts of North India were woken by an earthquake jolt of 4.0 magnitude on Monday. A recent LocalCircles survey found that only 13% of respondents knew the essential dos and don’ts for staying safe in their homes during an earthquake.

Only 14% of surveyed residents were confident that their homes or buildings are earthquake-resistant, while 87% have never conducted a building safety audit.

Strong tremors, originating from a shallow depth of 5 km in Delhi, sent anxious residents of high-rises in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad rushing outdoors today. In the past two decades, 10 major earthquakes have struck the country, claiming over 20,000 lives.

The survey received over 43,000 responses from citizens across 178 districts of the country. A majority of the respondents were male, while only 36% of respondents were women.

The rising earthquake risk is linked to a surge in developmental activities driven by urbanization, economic growth, and the globalization of India’s economy. Additionally, the increasing use of high-tech equipment and tools in manufacturing and service industries has heightened their vulnerability to disruption, even from moderate ground shaking.

“Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Urging everyone to stay calm and follow safety precautions, staying alert for possible aftershocks. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation,” PM Modi said this morning in a post on X.

Reports indicate that the earthquake that hit the Delhi NCR region today has not caused any damage or casualties.

“The authorities are keeping a close watch, and professional experts as well as officials in the Ministry of Earth Sciences (#MoES) are constantly monitoring the situation,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a post on X.