Delhi and its neighbouring cities were jolted on Sunday afternoon when a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck Faridabad in Haryana.
The earthquake struck at around 4:08 pm, said the National Centre for Seismology. It said the epicentre for the quake was nine kilometres east of Faridabad and 30 kilometres southeast of Delhi.
Videos showed terrified residents fleeing their homes.
Earthquake in Delhi #earthquakepic.twitter.com/U2zklBVoSp
— vijayendra gauttam (@vijayendrakekri) October 15, 2023
#BREAKING: Earthquake tremors felt in Delhi.
Details awaited. #earthquake#Delhi#DelhiEarthquake#DelhiNCR#भूकंप#Tremors#ENGvsAFG#UttarPradesh#Haryana#Noidapic.twitter.com/8LabStH9nE
— POOJA (@HumptyDumptykrn) October 15, 2023
Delhi Police urged people not to use elevators and stay away from buildings, trees, walls and pillars. Dial 112 for emergency, it said.
Know what to do during #earthquake#SafetyTipspic.twitter.com/qyGd71gziT
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 15, 2023
Earlier this month, strong tremors shook parts of north India, including the Delhi-NCR, after a series of earthquakes, the strongest being of magnitude 6.2, jolted Nepal in quick succession.
Experts say the impact of a large-scale earthquake can be reduced if people and institutions strictly comply with the bylaws and codes to build resilient structures.