Strong earthquake tremors were felt across several parts of North India late Friday evening after a powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. The tremors were experienced in multiple cities including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, causing brief panic among residents.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 9:45 PM IST, according to seismic monitoring agencies. Although the epicentre was located far from India, the tremors traveled across borders due to the strength and depth of the quake.
- Magnitude: 5.9 on the Richter scale
- Epicentre: Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan
- Time: Around 9:45 PM IST
- Depth: Approximately 150 km below the Earth’s surface
Seismologists say the Hindu Kush region is known for frequent seismic activity because of tectonic plate movements in the Himalayan seismic belt, which often sends tremors across South Asia.
Residents across many northern Indian cities reported sudden shaking of buildings and furniture. Areas where tremors were widely felt include:
- Delhi and NCR (Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad)
- Chandigarh
- Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab
- Dehradun in Uttarakhand
- Srinagar and other parts of Jammu & Kashmir
Many people quickly moved out of their homes and offices as a precaution when they felt the shaking.
Witnesses said the tremors lasted a few seconds, but they were strong enough to cause concern among residents living in high-rise buildings. Social media was quickly flooded with posts from people confirming that they had felt the quake.
Authorities have confirmed that no major damage or casualties have been reported so far. Emergency teams and disaster management authorities continue to monitor the situation.
Earthquakes in the Hindu Kush mountain region often affect neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and India. The area lies along a major tectonic boundary where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate, creating frequent seismic activity.
Because of this geological structure, tremors from earthquakes occurring deep in Afghanistan can easily travel hundreds of kilometres and be felt across northern India.
Officials have advised residents to remain calm and follow basic earthquake safety guidelines in case of aftershocks. People are encouraged to stay informed through official updates from seismic monitoring agencies.
Although the earthquake caused no immediate damage, experts remind the public that the Himalayan region remains one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the world.
