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Panic gripped residents across Delhi and its surrounding regions on Thursday morning after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Jhajjar in Haryana at 9:04 am.
The tremors, though brief, were strong enough to send people rushing out of their homes, offices, and high-rise buildings in areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the epicentre was located in Jhajjar, about 60 kilometres from the national capital, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. The quake was also felt in nearby districts of Haryana, including Sonipat, Rohtak, and Hisar, as well as parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
While the jolts caused alarm across the region, there have been no reports of injuries or structural damage so far.
Sudden Jolt Sparks Panic
Residents described the tremors as unusually strong for the region, with many reporting that furniture and even cupboards shook violently. On social media, users shared videos and personal accounts of their experiences, with some claiming that the quake forced open doors and windows.
People in various parts of Delhi and NCR were seen gathering outside apartment complexes, marketplaces, and government buildings, fearing aftershocks.
High Seismic Vulnerability of Delhi-NCR
Thursday's tremor once again brought attention to the seismic vulnerability of the national capital region. Delhi falls under Seismic Zone IV, classified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as a "High Damage Risk Zone." This means the region is susceptible to moderate to severe earthquakes.
Adding to the risk is the presence of three active fault lines, the Sohna, Mathura, and Delhi-Moradabad faults, that run through or near the capital.
Additionally, neighbouring Haryana contains at least seven known fault lines. Delhi’s proximity to the tectonically active Himalayan region further increases the frequency and intensity of tremors.
Data from the NCS highlights that between 1993 and 2025, the Delhi region has experienced over 440 earthquakes within a 50 sq km radius of the Dhaula Kuan area alone, ranging in magnitude from 1.1 to 4.6.
A Pattern of Recurring Quakes
This is not the first time in recent months that Delhi-NCR has experienced such tremors. On February 17 this year, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck near Dhaula Kuan in South Delhi, prompting similar panic and evacuation in residential and commercial buildings.
Despite relatively moderate magnitudes, the shallow depth and densely populated geography of the region amplify the impact of such quakes.
No Damage Reported, Monitoring Continues
Authorities confirmed that no loss of life or property damage has been reported from any affected areas so far. Disaster management teams and local administration are continuing to monitor the situation, and citizens have been advised to remain alert but not panic.
