Delhi shaken by the second-strongest earthquake in 30 years

Delhi Struck by Second Strongest Earthquake in Three Decades, Panic Grips National Capital

The National Capital Region woke up to terrifying tremors this morning as a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake—the second strongest to hit Delhi in 30 years—sent shockwaves through the city, triggering panic among residents and exposing glaring gaps in the city's disaster preparedness.  

The quake, which struck at 10:17 AM with its epicenter near Nepal's western region, lasted nearly 90 seconds—an eternity for those caught in high-rise buildings. Office workers in Connaught Place scrambled under desks, metro services came to an abrupt halt, and terrified residents poured into the streets in their nightclothes.  

"I was making breakfast when the entire building started swaying violently," recounted Meena Sharma, a resident of East Delhi's Preet Vihar. "The refrigerator toppled over, and we just ran out without even our slippers. My children are still traumatized."  

The Indian Meteorological Department confirmed this was the most significant seismic event since the 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. While no major structural collapses were reported, several older buildings in Chandni Chowk and Lajpat Nagar developed dangerous cracks, raising concerns about Delhi's aging infrastructure.  

The earthquake exposed critical shortcomings in the city's emergency response systems. Many residents reported being unable to dial emergency numbers due to network congestion, while confusion reigned about designated open spaces for evacuation in densely populated neighborhoods.  

Seismologists warn this may not be the last major tremor. "Delhi lies in seismic Zone IV, making it vulnerable to strong earthquakes," explained Dr. Rajeev Ranjan of the National Centre for Seismology. "The Himalayan tectonic plates are particularly active right now. This should serve as a wake-up call for better preparedness."  

As aftershocks continued through the afternoon, the city remained on edge. Authorities have urged calm while inspecting vulnerable structures. For Delhi's 30 million residents, the quake served as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power in one of the world's most densely populated urban centers.