On Friday night, residents across Delhi‑NCR and northern India felt a sudden jolt as earthquake tremors rippled through homes and offices, leaving many startled. The earthquake, measuring 5.8–5.9 on the Richter scale, struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan, around 150–175 km below the surface. Although the epicentre was far from India, the quake’s depth allowed the vibrations to travel hundreds of kilometres.
The tremors hit between 9:42 and 9:50 pm, lasting for several seconds in places like Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Srinagar, Poonch, and Udhampur. Many residents rushed out of their homes in alarm, while some shared videos online showing ceiling fans swinging, lights swaying, and furniture shaking.
Despite the intensity of the tremors, authorities reported no casualties or major damage in India. Emergency services in Delhi and other affected regions remained on high alert, ready to respond to any aftershocks. The National Centre for Seismology is monitoring the situation and expected to release detailed updates soon.
Seismologists note that northern India lies in Seismic Zone IV, meaning it is vulnerable to earthquakes of moderate intensity. Deep-focus earthquakes like this one often transmit shockwaves over long distances, which is why people hundreds of kilometres away felt the shaking.
The tremors were also felt in parts of Pakistan, highlighting the quake’s wide reach. While such events can be frightening, experts reassure residents that deep-focus earthquakes, though strong, usually cause less surface damage than shallow quakes.
