A moderate, 4.4 magnitude earthquake was felt in regions of Delhi NCR, this morning (10 July, 2025) at 9.04am.
With its epicentre just outside Jhajjar, Haryana strong tremors were felt across regions of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Meerut, and Shamli. The sudden trembling triggered widespread panic among residents, prompting many to rush out of buildings in fear for their safety.
National Centre for Seismology Report
The National Centre for Seismology verified the coordinates of the quake at 28.63°N, 76.68°E, reporting it to have occurred for a few seconds. What truly drew attention was how uncommonly long the tremors persisted for an earthquake of such intensity. Most people reported the shaking to have lasted between 8 to 15 seconds, a period that definitely contributed to the increased sense of anxiety.
Many people across Delhi reported the shaking of everything from furniture to computer monitors and ceiling fans, all uncontrolled. They ran out of buildings quickly, the initial reaction being to find safe spots far away from tall buildings. The same was seen in Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Sonipat, Rohtak, and Hisar, where office workers and inhabitants rushed to get out of houses and offices.
No major structural damage has been reported yet
While there has been an initial shock and wholesale evacuations, we are happy to report that no injuries or major structural damage has been reported so far. The authorities are still carrying out their rigorous inspections, but initial observations have reported no major damage to life or property.
Besides, Delhi squarely lies in Seismic Zone IV, which makes it a high-risk seismic zone for earthquakes. This vulnerability is primarily because of a series of active fault lines passing through the area, i.e., Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, Sohna Fault, Delhi-Moradabad Fault, and Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault. Our city boasts a well-documented history of major quakes, with at least five since 1720 being above magnitude 5.5.
Similarly last month, on February 17, 2025, Delhi was rocked by a 4.0-magnitude earthquake at a depth of 5 kilometers—a recent and intense reminder of the natural seismic susceptibility of our part of the world. Such regular seismicity continues to emphasize the ever-present need for our being ready in the capital.
Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), were soon abuzz with residents sharing their first-hand accounts and even sharing videos of the shaking. One user accurately captured the common sentiment, commenting, “that’s the longest earthquake I’ve felt in a VERY long time,” and another accurately captured “a sudden jolt” that “shook me literally out of my seat.” Videos shared online showed ceiling fans wildly swinging and people quickly evacuating, accurately capturing the tense moments that transpired during and in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
Action taken by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
As a response to the tremors, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) wasted no time in sending out immediate safety guidelines through official channels. They asked people to remain calm, avoid traveling close to elevators, use staircases, and move towards open areas if outside. Drivers were asked to drive to a safe location, away from buildings and overheads.
Recommendations By News Agencies on Earthquake in Delhi today
Many news agencies also supported these major recommendations, referring to major steps toward earthquake preparedness:
- BEFORE – Anchor heavy furniture to walls; stock emergency kits with supplies; and practice the “Drop–Cover–Hold” regularly.
- WHILE – Drop to the ground immediately, cover your head and neck by crawling under heavy furniture, and remain in place until the shaking stops.
- AFTER – Evacuate buildings safely using staircases, exercise care while checking your area for damage, and if trapped, shout for assistance without the use of lighters or matches.
However, we should remember that earthquakes are just a way of life in Delhi, a direct consequence of our location above active fault lines. The National Centre for Seismology’s vast digital seismic network is working to detect quakes of over magnitude 3.5, usually picking them up within minutes of their occurrence.
Today’s 4.4-magnitude earthquake is now the largest earthquake in the Delhi area this year. With Delhi’s highly urbanized population and century-old buildings, experts always say that even comparatively moderate quakes can actually have serious impacts, so adequate disaster preparedness is absolutely essential for everyone.
Action taken by Local Government Bodies
Local government officials did not waste time issuing inspections on key structures such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings to ensure that such structures are still structurally sound. Seismologists will examine data from the earthquake in delhi with the hopes of providing reports that can improve our current Earthquake Early Warning systems.
Aside from these long-term preventive actions, residents are also urged to hire professional structural engineers to conduct home safety checks, enhance office and community disaster readiness, and hold earthquake drills as a standard procedure.
Building Delhi’s Resilience Thursday’s moderate earthquake was an unexpectedly powerful reminder of Delhi’s inherent seismic risk. Although comparatively short and, thankfully, non-damaging in terms of extent, it has undoubtedly re-ignited concerns regarding our readiness in Delhi’s high-risk area. Governments and residents are now prioritizing initiatives to increase readiness to make Delhi better equipped to handle future earthquakes.
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