A moderate earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale jolted the Himalayan district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand, triggering noticeable ground tremors across neighboring northern states and the National Capital Region. The National Centre for Seismology recorded the seismic event at a shallow focal depth of thirteen kilometers, with the epicenter located in rugged mountainous terrain northeast of Joshimath.
Residents in high-rise residential towers across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Dehradun rushed onto open streets after feeling strong lateral vibrations that caused ceiling fixtures and domestic appliances to sway for several seconds. District administrative teams in Chamoli and surrounding hill districts initiated rapid field inspections to assess potential structural damage, with preliminary reports indicating minor plaster cracks on older masonry structures but no severe casualties.
Disaster response teams and local emergency response centers remain on high alert across sensitive Himalayan seismic belts. Geologists reiterated that the Garhwal and Kumaon zones lie within highly active seismic zones, recommending strict adherence to earthquake-resistant engineering standards for public and residential infrastructure developments.
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Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tremors-felt-across-delhi-ncr-as-49-magnitude-quake-hits-uttarakhands-chamoli/article71553036.ece