Among Residents
New Delhi/Patna: A sense of panic gripped parts of North India as two earthquakes struck Delhi and Bihar within a span of a few hours. The tremors, felt late Sunday evening and early Monday morning, sent residents rushing out of their homes in fear. While no major damage has been reported, the sudden seismic activity has raised concerns among experts and authorities.
Twin Quakes Within Hours
The first tremor was recorded in Delhi-NCR at around 11:30 PM on Sunday. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located near Haryana’s Jhajjar district. The tremors were mild but strong enough to be felt in various parts of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and nearby regions.
Just a few hours later, another quake struck Bihar at around 3:45 AM on Monday. This one was slightly stronger, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter near the Madhubani district. The tremors were felt in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and several other parts of the state. Many residents, woken up by the sudden jolts, rushed outdoors in a state of alarm.
Public Reaction and Panic
In Delhi, social media was soon flooded with posts from residents describing their experiences. “I was watching TV when I suddenly felt the bed shake. It lasted just a few seconds, but it was scary,” said a resident from Noida. Another individual from Gurugram shared, “We were about to sleep when we felt the tremors. We immediately ran out of the house.”
Meanwhile, in Bihar, the situation was even more alarming as the tremors occurred in the early hours when most people were asleep. “The shaking woke us up. We ran outside with the children in fear,” said a resident of Muzaffarpur. Another local from Patna stated, “For a moment, we thought it was a major quake. Thankfully, it wasn’t as intense.”
Authorities and Expert Opinions
Following the earthquakes, the authorities in both Delhi and Bihar reassured citizens that there was no immediate threat. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administration remain on alert.
Seismologists have suggested that these quakes could be part of regular seismic activity in the region. “The northern part of India, particularly Delhi-NCR and Bihar, falls in seismic zones IV and V, making them vulnerable to earthquakes. While these tremors were not destructive, they serve as a reminder that preparedness is crucial,” said a senior geologist.
Need for Earthquake Preparedness
Experts urge people to stay informed and take earthquake preparedness seriously. The Bihar government has already issued guidelines on safety measures, and Delhi’s municipal authorities have advised residents to check the structural integrity of their buildings.
While this time the quakes did not cause any significant harm, they have once again highlighted the need for better urban planning, strict building regulations, and disaster awareness programs. With North India being prone to seismic disturbances, authorities emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness to prevent casualties in case of stronger quakes in the future.