After a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan late Tuesday evening, strong tremors were detected in northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region. Strong tremors were reported in India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan as a result of the magnitude of the earthquake.
Not just Delhi-NCR, but several northern states, including Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kashmir, witnessed a panic-like situation with people rushing out of their homes. The epicentre of Tuesday’s earthquake was Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, while its depth was 180 kilometres, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Notably, six earthquakes, measuring above 4 on the Ritcher scale, have jolted India alone in March this year. Are we waiting for a deadly and major earthquake in the days to come?
Dr. Ajay Paul, a geologist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, told Uttarakhand AajTak that a big earthquake is predicted to shake the Himalayan region shortly.
“Last night’s earthquake was very deep, and its reflection jolted several regions,” Dr Paul stated. He further mentioned that the Himalayan region is in Seismic Zone V (extremely severe intensity zone), making it difficult to pinpoint any exact location.
Dr. Ajay Paul further stated that public awareness and civil engineering will be critical in preserving lives if and when a severe earthquake strikes the region.
“It is impossible to forecast an earthquake.” “It happens when the tectonic plates release energy,” Dr Paul explained.
Strong tremors jolted large swathes of northern India, including Delhi-NCR, on Tuesday night as an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan. At least 12 people were killed and several others were injured in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the earthquake.
People in Delhi-NCR rushed out of their homes and came out on the streets as the powerful temblor shook the mountainous region at 10.17 pm.
In India, the earthquake was felt across the northern region, including Delhi-NCR, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.