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A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Tuesday night, October 6, sending tremors across several parts of the state and into Delhi-NCR and other areas of North India. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 10:23:13 pm IST at a depth of around 13 kilometres.
The NCS has listed the event as a reviewed earthquake, with its epicentre located at 30.103°N latitude and 79.561°E longitude in Chamoli. The agency’s seismic data also places the epicentre about 273 kilometres northeast of Noida and 282 kilometres northeast of New Delhi.
The tremors were felt in Delhi and adjoining NCR areas, including Noida and Gurugram, with residents reporting brief but noticeable shaking. Reports also indicated that tremors were experienced in several parts of Uttarakhand and other northern states.
Tremors felt across Delhi-NCR
The earthquake occurred late at night when many people were inside their homes. Residents in parts of Delhi-NCR reported feeling buildings, furniture and other objects shake for a short period.
Several people took to social media after the tremors, describing the experience and asking whether an earthquake had occurred. In some residential areas, people reportedly stepped outside their homes after feeling the shaking.
India Today reported that tremors were felt in areas including Noida and Gurugram, while residents in different parts of Delhi also reported experiencing the movement.
The NCS’s felt-report data also recorded seismic responses at locations in and around the Delhi region, including points roughly 269 to 290 kilometres from the earthquake’s epicentre.
Earthquake Epicentre in Chamoli, depth 13 kilometres
According to the NCS, the earthquake’s epicentre was in Chamoli district, while the depth was recorded at 13 kilometres. The relatively shallow depth meant that the earthquake could be felt over a considerable area despite its moderate magnitude.
Chamoli is located in the seismically active Himalayan region, an area where earthquakes are relatively common because of the continuing interaction of tectonic plates beneath the Himalayas.
The region has experienced several significant earthquakes over the years, making seismic preparedness an important concern for Uttarakhand.
No immediate reports of major damage
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage following the 4.9-magnitude earthquake, according to reports available after the tremors.
Authorities, however, continue to monitor the situation because earthquakes can sometimes be followed by smaller aftershocks. Residents in affected areas have been advised to remain alert and follow official safety instructions if further tremors occur.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake is generally capable of being felt by people, particularly when it occurs at relatively shallow depth, although the actual impact can vary depending on distance from the epicentre, local geology and the quality of buildings.
Other parts of North India also felt the quake
The tremors were not restricted to Chamoli or nearby areas. Reports indicated that people in several locations across northern India experienced the shaking.
Apart from Delhi-NCR, tremors were reported from parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, while several Uttarakhand districts and towns also experienced the earthquake.
The wide area over which the tremors were felt reflects the earthquake’s location and depth. The NCS data shows the event was recorded at considerable distances from the epicentre, including the national capital region.
Uttarakhand remains highly earthquake-prone
The latest earthquake has once again drawn attention to Uttarakhand’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The Himalayan belt is among India’s most earthquake-prone regions because of the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Chamoli itself has a history of major seismic activity. The 1999 Chamoli earthquake, for example, caused extensive damage and loss of life in the region.
Experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of earthquake-resistant construction, enforcement of building codes and public awareness, particularly in mountainous areas.
For Delhi-NCR, the latest tremors also serve as a reminder of the region’s own seismic vulnerability. Although the capital was some distance from the Chamoli epicentre, the earthquake was strong enough to be felt across parts of the metropolitan region.
Earlier earthquake reported in Assam
The Chamoli earthquake was not the only seismic event recorded in India on Tuesday. According to the NCS, an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 was also recorded in Assam’s Nagaon district earlier in the day. That earthquake occurred at around 4:23 am at a depth of 33 kilometres.
The occurrence of multiple earthquakes in different parts of the country does not by itself indicate that the events are connected. Seismic activity is monitored separately based on each earthquake’s location, depth and magnitude.
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What residents should do during an earthquake
Authorities and disaster-management agencies generally advise people to follow the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” approach during an earthquake. People indoors should move away from windows and heavy objects, take cover under sturdy furniture if possible and avoid using lifts.
Those outdoors should stay away from buildings, trees, electric poles and other structures that could fall. Drivers should safely stop their vehicles and remain inside until the shaking stops.
The Chamoli earthquake caused concern across Delhi-NCR, but with no immediate reports of major casualties or damage, authorities are continuing to monitor the situation. The NCS’s reviewed data confirms the magnitude at 4.9 and the depth at 13 kilometres.
The incident once again highlights the importance of earthquake preparedness in both the Himalayan region and the wider northern Indian plains.
