The early hours of February 17, 2025, were a scary time when a 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Delhi-NCR shook homes and frightened the residents of Delhi-NCR. The tremors caused an extremely loud noise with panic reaching its peak.
NCR Earthquake: Key Highlights
✅ Magnitude: 4.0
✅ Time: 5:36 AM IST
✅ Epicenter: Dhaula Kuan, Delhi
✅ Depth: 5 km
✅ Impact: Strong tremors felt across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and surrounding areas
✅ Casualties/Damage: No reports of injuries or significant structural damage
Residents React to the Early Morning Tremors
Many people in Delhi-NCR took the help of social media to share their experiences. It was the last thing they dreamed of as it took people out of their sleep in the chaos of an apparent shock with some who fled outside in fear of aftershocks.
🚨 Amit Sharma, Noida: “The whole apartment shook for a few seconds. I was scared out of my mind. It lasted a few seconds, though.”
🚨 Meera Gupta, Gurugram: “The noise was thunderous and the furniture was shaking. I ran to the kids’ room to make sure they were okay.”
Despite the briefness of the tremors, the shallow depth of the quake furthermore contributed to the fact that it felt stronger than the others.
Why Did a 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Feel So Intense?
Despite being a mild level of 4.0 in size the depth (5 km) of the earthquake made the shaking much more severe. Subsequent quakes are always stronger on the surface because the quakes are shallow depth and it is this fact that makes the quakes more detectable this way.
Past Earthquakes in Delhi-NCR
- November 2023: A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. Tremors felt in Delhi-NCR as a result.
- May 2022: A moderate earthquake with a 3.8 magnitude was detected in the area of Jhajjar, Haryana.
- April 2020: A few mild earthquakes were felt in the Delhi-NCR region that resulted in the worry about the seismic activity in the area.
During an Earthquake: Protect Yourself
🚨 If indoors:
- Drop, cover, and stay under a solid, safe table or desk.
- Guard yourself against windows, glass doors, and heavy furniture when you are inside.
- Do not use elevators.
🚨 If Outdoors:
- Walk to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
- Stay down low and shield your head.
🚨 If you are Driving:
- Drive to a safe place away from the road and stay in the car.
- Do not stop underneath railways, overpasses, or next to tall buildings.
After an Earthquake: Stay Safe!
✔ Inspect the injuries only: Heal them if necessary.
✔ Examine your surroundings: Seek structural damage, gas leaks, and electrical hazards.
✔ Keep in touch: Listen to the government on the radio and get ready for aftershocks.
The Reaction of the Delhi Government & Security Instructions
📢 Spokesperson of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) explained residents to remain calm and adhere to the safety regulations. Delhi Police took to Twitter to assure every citizen:”We trust that you are okay, Delhi! Stay vigilant and report any emergencies to the helpline 112.”
NCS is routinely monitoring the seismic activity in North India. No major aftershocks have been observed, yet the expert’s advice is to be careful.
Read more about Pulwama Attack 2019: Why India Observes February 14 as “Black Day”
Is Delhi-NCR at Risk for Future Earthquakes?
Delhi is situated in Seismic Zone IV forthwith creating a substantial hazard of earthquakes. The experts have also notified that the area’s susceptibility to even more powerful earthquakes is increased by the tectonic activity near the Himalayan fault.
How Can We Reduce Earthquake Damage?
- 🏢 Earthquake-Resistant Buildings: Adhering to the seismic safety standards for all building types.
- 🏠 Retrofitting Old Structures: The act of renovating older structures to ensure that they can resist earthquakes.
- 🚨 Regular Drills & Awareness: Educational institutions, administrative buildings, and both residential and industrial complexes should hold evacuation drills.
