A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 originating in Nepal sent shockwaves rippling through northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar on Tuesday at 2.51pm local time. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) quickly assessed that the quake had a shallow depth of just 5 km.
The Himalayan region, known for its high seismic activity, is home to numerous fault lines. The region’s tectonic activity is particularly active, contributing to the frequent occurrence of earthquakes.
Historically, the Himalayan region has experienced several devastating earthquakes, including four magnitude 8 quakes from 1897 to 1952. However, predicting when and where the next significant earthquake will occur remains challenging.
The earthquake, which lasted for over 40 seconds, triggered panic among residents, causing them to evacuate their homes. Reports also indicated that Nepal experienced two earthquakes in quick succession, with magnitudes of 4.6 and 6.2. The first quake struck Nepal at 2:25pm, followed by the larger tremor at 2:51pm.
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Tremors were felt in various regions, including Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, Hapur, and Amroha, as well as parts of Uttarakhand.
The Delhi police issued a warning advising citizens against using elevators and urging them to exit buildings for safety.
Notably, a Dutch research organization, the Solar System Geometry Survey (SSGS), had recently predicted a powerful earthquake along the Chaman fault line in Pakistan. However, these predictions have faced skepticism and contradiction from scientists, seismologists, and geologists.
As the region remains on edge due to unpredictable seismic activity, residents and authorities are taking precautionary measures to ensure safety in the event of future earthquakes.